Dave Workman – journalist, gun rights advocate,
three-term NRA board member – takes aim with
a Model 57 Smith & Wesson chambered in .41
Magnum, one of his favorite handguns. He reﬂects
on a long career in the trenches in this issue’s cover
story. (DAVE WORKMAN)

At this month’s big gathering of the National Rifle
Association in Dallas, members will hear from a sizzling
lineup of speakers. Nancy Keaton spotlights nine
Second Amendment leaders taking the podium.

(DAVE WORKMAN)

39

REDEFINING
WORKMANLIKE

(DAVE WORKMAN)

Dave Workman –
journalist, gun rights
advocate, outdoorsman,
three-term NRA board
member – has spent a
lifetime around triggers
and keyboards. Frank
Jardim interviews this
humble yet highly
productive scribe who
once took the city of
Seattle to court over an
ammo tax – and won!

FEATURES
105 ROADHUNTER: CALLER I.D.
There’s a plethora of turkey calls out
there, and Scott Haugen knows how to
make the best use of each type. Grab
your box, mouth and slate calls for a
tom-trickin’ tutorial!

153 BLACK POWDER: PAPER
REVOLVER CARTRIDGES
Mike Nesbitt checks out Buffalo
Arms’ new offerings made for .36- and
.44-caliber percussion pistols, and he
likes what he sees – and how they shoot!

177 BULLET BULLETIN: NEW
HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDERS
Phil Massaro takes a look at Federal’s
Tungsten Super Shot line of shells and
ﬁnds that not only are they ready to roll
gobblers but they even have a handy extra
feature to measure your bird’s spurs!

Skinner Sights handcrafts peep sights in their
small shop in St. Ignatius, Montana. All are
machined from solid steel, stainless steel or
brass bar stock, and each part is hand-fitted.
(SKINNER SIGHTS )

If you’re looking for AR replacement parts or other tactical gear, Pickett’s Mill
Armory is your one-stop online gun shop. Whether you just need a new bolt
carrier to install independently or an entire in-house, custom-built upper receiver,
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22

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

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24

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

THE NRA ANNUAL MEETING:

WHO WILL ‘SPEAK’ TO YOU?
This month’s Annual Meetings & Exhibits features a sizzling set of speakers.

he buzz leading up to the NRA annual meeting
is always electric and exciting. Gathering with
like-minded people, seeing and touching new
and improved products, and hearing from
inspiring leaders makes this one of the most anticipated
events each and every year. Free to all NRA members and
their families, it is the place to be in Dallas from May 3-6.
Are you a political junkie who wants to hear from
elected oﬃcials? Do you want to know what their plans
are to protect the Second Amendment?
Are you more interested in hearing from conservative
commentators? Do you like to hear their opinions, their
ideas, and listen to their sarcasm as they point out hypocrisy?
Do you want to hear from the young, up-and-coming
inﬂuencers? Do you want them to teach you how to start your
involvement in the political arena surrounding gun rights?
Maybe you want to hear from the heroes, those who
have seen real action, who know the front-line importance
of having the ability to defend ourselves and our country.
Or do you want to know what the NRA has planned in
the upcoming months to defend and protect our rights?
All of these people and more will be speaking to
thousands of attendees ﬂocking to the NRA annual
meeting. It may be diﬃcult for you to narrow it down and
decide who you want to listen to the most – who may

T

speak to your needs, your concerns and your opinions.
Luckily, that’s a good problem. There are many people
who would like to attend the meeting but can’t because
of cost, distance or ability to take oﬀ from work. If you’re
fortunate enough to get to go, you’ll have a wide variety of
speakers and presentations to choose from.
TUCKER CARLSON
Known for his “spirited debates,” the star of Tucker
Carlson Tonight on the Fox News Channel is the featured
speaker at the Women’s Leadership Forum Luncheon and
Auction, where women from all around the country are
becoming more and more involved in the ﬁght to stop the
assault against our Second Amendment rights.
Forty-eight-year-old Carlson has had stints on MSNBC
and CNN, and was cofounder and editor-in-chief of The
Daily Caller website. Prior to that, he was also a writer and
journalist for many outlets. Showing his willingness to try
new things, Carlson was even a contestant on Dancing
with the Stars in 2006. He is also an author, having penned
a book titled Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites: My
Adventures in Cable News.
Carlson often has left-leaning guests on his show, asking
them thoughtful questions, sometimes putting them on
the spot when he points out the errors in their thinking.
Sarcastic, quick-witted and entertaining, Carlson is sure to
have nuggets of wisdom to bestow on the audience.
americanshootingjournal.com 25

TOMI LAHREN
Most college graduates only hope to make an impact in the
world as quickly as Tomi Lahren has. Graduating from the
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Lahren has a degree in
broadcast journalism and political science. She applied for
a job at One America News Network and was immediately
oﬀered her own show. She then moved on to TheBlaze,
owned by Glenn Beck, where her star burned even brighter
until she was let go for her controversial statements.
Now a Fox contributor, she has an extraordinary
following with 4.5 million Facebook followers. Believing
conservatives don’t have to line up with every right-wing
stance, her views have caused consternation among
both the right and the left. As a young and inﬂuential
conservative commentator, she’ll relate well to some of the
new NRA members who have been joining in droves.

contractor in Benghazi, leading up to the terrible events on
September 11, 2012. He is still recovering from his injuries.

MARK GEIST
As one of the Annex Security Team members who survived
the battle in Benghazi, he coauthored the book 13 Hours:
The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi,
detailing his recollections and experiences that fateful night.
Prior to Benghazi, Geist served 12 years in the Marine
Corps, then became a deputy sheriﬀ in Colorado, doing
the hard work of investigating crimes against children. He
moved on to become chief of police in Fowler, Colorado,
then a private investigator, bounty hunter and bail
bondsman. Finally, in 2004, he began working as a security

GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT
The NRA annual meeting couldn’t happen where it is
without hearing from the governor of the great state of
Texas. Leading the state since 2015, he previously served
as Attorney General under Governor Rick Perry, and was
on the Texas Supreme Court. In addition to protecting the
Second Amendment, some of his priorities include securing
the border, creating jobs, going after internet criminals who
prey on children, cracking down on sex oﬀenders who violate
their parole, and preventing elder abuse. Abbott believes
Texas can lead the way for the nation to get back on track.

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American Shooting Journal // May 2018

CHARLIE KIRK
Another talented, ambitious young person, Charlie Kirk
founded Turning Point USA at the ripe old age of 18. Its
intent is to expose high school and college students to
the ideas of the free market and smaller government. The
organization now has over 150 staﬀ and a presence on over
1,200 high school and college campuses around the country.
In case he hasn’t accomplished enough in just a few
short years after graduation, Kirk also authored a book,
Time for a Turning Point.
For students who want to learn how to ﬁght back
against the liberal ideas so prevalent in high schools and
colleges, Kirk will be their guy during this event.

americanshootingjournal.com 27

SENATOR TED CRUZ
Born in Canada, then moving south, Cruz became the
ﬁrst Hispanic-American senator from Texas when he was
elected to oﬃce in 2012, with help from the Tea Party
as they looked for someone to help change the status
quo in Washington, D.C. Prior to running for oﬃce, his
experiences included serving as a law clerk, policy advisor
to President Bush’s 2000 presidential campaign, associate
deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice,
director of the Oﬃce of Policy Planning at the Federal
Trade Commission, solicitor general for the state of Texas,
and as a private practice lawyer.
His quick rise to prominence and power within the U.S.
Senate was phenomenal, throwing a wrench into the usual
business in Washington by orchestrating a government
shutdown in opposition to Obamacare. He then threw
his hat into the ring, running for president in the last
election. Although he didn’t win, more Americans outside
of Texas got to know him even better. Cruz is in favor of
controlling the borders and legal immigration.
REP. RICHARD HUDSON
Representing North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District,
Hudson is a strong Second Amendment supporter,
earning an A+ rating from the NRA. His support of the
military and veterans led to an award for his commitment
to reuniting military dogs and their handlers. He has also
been working to improve veterans’ access to healthcare.

28

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

Hudson is also a member of the Congressional
Sportsmen’s Caucus, where he earned the sporting clay,
trap and skeet championship.
CHRIS COX
As Executive Director of NRA Institute for Legislative
Action, Chris Cox has the daunting task of overseeing
several NRA-ILA divisions. These include Federal Aﬀairs;
State and Local Aﬀairs; Public Aﬀairs; Grassroots; Finance;
Research and Information; Conservation, Wildlife and
Natural Resources; and the Oﬃce of Legislative Counsel.
He also represents the NRA to government agencies,
the legislature and White House. His prior experience as
a senior legislative aide in Congress serves him well in his
current position.
Cox is credited with some of the NRA’s best
achievements, such as protecting ﬁrearm manufacturers
from lawsuits, allowing concealed carry in national parks,
and preventing citizens from being stripped of their right
to keep their ﬁrearms during a natural disaster.
Cox is also the chairman of NRA Country, where
country music stars and the NRA work together to
support the Second Amendment.
Cox and his team have brought in some great country
music acts for this year’s event. A special tribute to
Charlie Daniels will be held on Saturday, May 5. Travis
Tritt, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, and others will
be entertaining excited attendees for this special honor.

americanshootingjournal.com 29

WAYNE LAPIERRE
Since 1991, Wayne LaPierre has been doing the tough
job of heading up the NRA and responding to unfair,
unwarranted attacks.
LaPierre can be counted on to “rally the troops”
during his speech to all the NRA members in attendance,
reminding everyone of the risk to our freedoms and the
need to band together to keep up the good ﬁght.

OCE AN
FISHING

541-765-2545 • www.docksidedepoebay.com • 800-733-8915

30

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

LISTEN, LEARN, GET INVOLVED
In addition to the speakers, there will be a variety of
educational workshops, seminars and meetings. Whether
you have a speciﬁc interest area or want to learn about
new topics from experts, there will be plenty of chances
for you at this year’s annual meeting. After you have
heard the diﬀerent ideas and thoughts, it will then be your
opportunity to help plan for the future of the NRA. You’ll
have a true picture of the work that needs to be done to
keep up the ﬁght for our Second Amendment rights. And
then you will realize it will be a time for you to get involved
and help make a diﬀerence.
More speakers will be announced as they are
conﬁrmed closer to the event, so be sure to keep an eye
on the website. You never know who may end up on the
agenda and will be the one who truly “speaks” to you. 
Editor’s note: For more information about the NRA annual
meeting, check out the website at nraam.org.

YOUR SOURCE FOR AR-15 AND GLOCK

WWW.SPINTAPRECISION.COM

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32

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

industry
GARY B. WELLS, ATTORNEY AT LAW

AMERICAN TRACK TRUCK

Because ﬁrearms laws are often found in multiple codes, regulations, and rules,
they tend to be disorganized and complicated. They also often fail to provide
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an easy-to-understand format. The book covers all aspects of the Gun Control
Act, National Firearms Act, and the relevant provisions of the International
Trafﬁc in Arms Regulations. Volume 2 covers the ﬁrearms laws of Texas;
personal ﬁrearms transfers; ﬁrearms crimes, seizures, and self-defense; and the
requirements, restrictions, and obligations related to licenses to carry.

For the past 10 years, American Track Truck (ATT) has provided their
Dominator Track Systems for half-ton vehicles all around the planet. Now,
ATT is excited to introduce their Dominator XL HD Track System. Designed
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SPOKANE SPICE
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THE RANGE 702
therange702.com

For a truly unique ﬁrearm experience in Las Vegas, ﬁre the Quadzilla, a pintle-mounted multi-barrel
machine gun that is essentially four separate M4 receivers mounted together to deliver a combined
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Each year, thousands of hungry folks from
around the Paciﬁc Northwest gather in the
rolling hills and farmlands of the Palouse in
Washington state. The attraction? Hundreds
of pounds of homemade sausage, all prepared
with Palouse German sausage seasoning. In
villages like Uniontown and Colton, people will
be enjoying wonderful meals, thanks in part
to the spice experts at Spokane Spice. One
of their most popular mixes, the semi-sweet
Palouse German blend is fantastic, whether
fresh or smoked. However you try it, you’re
sure to ﬁnd it delicious!
americanshootingjournal.com 33

industry
WILDLIFE FOREVER
cleandraindry.org

Have you heard? Invaders are threatening your access
to ﬁshing, hunting, and the outdoor sports. To keep our
public lands open for hunters and anglers, we must
stop the spread of invasive species. The Bureau of
Land Management, along with Wildlife Forever, are
combining efforts to encourage people to clean, drain
and dry their outdoor equipment. Invasive species
like zebra mussels and spotted knapweed are easily
transported on outdoor gear. A simple inspection
and following the national guidelines for cleaning
equipment, draining boats and ballast, and thoroughly
drying gear will help prevent spreading foreign plants
and animals. Help protect your favorite places – clean,
dry, and drain. Every time.

SHOOT SMART
shootsmart.com

Dallas/Fort Worth’s premier indoor shooting
range – Shoot Smart – is again raising the bar
as they incorporate the V23 Live Fire Shooting
System into their menu. The V23 projects
reactive video games downrange, and reacts
using your ﬁrearm. Yes, your ﬁrearm. And no,
no special equipment necessary. Patrons are
welome to use their own ﬁrearm, or may rent
one to play Battleship, knock over cans, or
shoot – ack! – zombies. The V23 feature will be
available in May at the Grand Prairie facility at
2440 West Main Street.

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American Shooting Journal // May 2018

THE REAL TEXAS GUN SHOW
therealtexasgunshow.com

The Real Texas Gun Show may not be the largest
gun show to come down the pike, but they’re
one of the oldest, safest, and most enjoyable
to be held in the Lone Star State, bar none. The
organizers’ goal is safety and satisfaction, both for
the exhibitors and the attendees. This isn’t a ﬂea
market; in fact, show organizers limit non-gun- and
knife-related products to just 5 percent of the total
table space exhibiting at each show. If you want to
see – and buy – guns and knives, this is the place
to do it. The Real Texas Gun Show. The greatest
show on Earth. Or Texas.

Dallas Arms Collectors Association, Inc. is
delighted to announce the display “Guns and
Gunﬁghts of the Texas Rangers” at the 147th
NRA Annual Meeting. This exceptional collection
will bring to life 10 original Colt Walkers, as well
as many other guns and memorabilia belonging
to former Texas Rangers. Also included is a
display on Comanche warfare. On hand too will
be several retired Texas Rangers, all happy to
discuss the history of this great organization and
relive tales of the Rangers from years past.

EAGLE INDOOR
GUN RANGE
eaglegunrangetx.com
The Eagle Indoor Gun Range is the premier public
indoor range in Texas. Now with branches in
Lewisville on West Valley Ridge Boulevard, and in
Farmers Branch on Midway Road, Eagle features
Careys’ state-of-the-art air ﬁltration system, 24
shooting lanes with Action Targets, and NRAcertiﬁed range ofﬁcers on the bay at all times.
Each lane is 25 yards long, and all are capable of
handling riﬂes and pistols. And check out Eagle’s
complete line of rental ﬁrearms, too. For the best
customer service in the Lone Star State, come to
Eagle Indoors.

JOSEPH CHIARELLO & CO., INC.
guninsurance.com

Joseph Chiarello
& Company,
Incorporated, is a
family-owned and
-operated business founded in 1934, and has
specialized in insuring the ﬁrearms industry since
1979. Throughout those years, many of their
competitors have come and gone, but for more
than three decades, Chiarello & Company has
stood by the ﬁrearms industry. The coverage they
provide is an important tool for managing your
company’s exposure to risk. Chiarello & Company’s
primary focus is on commercial general liability
and property coverage. They’re underwritten by
the Granite State Insurance Company.

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A lifelong outdoorsman and eastern Washington
mule deer hunter, Dave Workman has managed
to combine a love of firearms with a career in
journalism to report on gun rights and efforts to
diminish the Second Amendment. (DAVE WORKMAN)

utside of Washington
state, those who
vigilantly monitor the
machinations of the gunprohibition lobby in its many and
varied forms will likely recognize the
name Dave Workman.
He’s thrice been elected to the
NRA board of directors. He became
the communications director of the
Citizen’s Committee for the Right

O

to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA.
org) in 2000 and is also the senior
editor of the print and online
editions of The Gun Mag (formerly
Gun Week), published by the Second
Amendment Foundation (SAF.org).
Before that, he spent 21 years at
the now-defunct Outdoor Empire
Publishing as senior editor of Fishing
& Hunting News.
Workman has earned a reputation
as a plainspoken, no-nonsense, let-thefacts-speak-for-themselves journalist.

He’s exactly the kind of guy you
wouldn’t want to have an argument
with if your rhetorical position was
based on lies, bogus data, hypocrisy,
or masking a hidden agenda. That
makes him the last person any antigun partisan wants to have to answer
to, be it in the audience of a press
conference, a telephone call, or as
the opposing viewpoint on a radio or
television broadcast.
Add to this his refusal to
participate in political correctness
americanshootingjournal.com 39

The “high lonesome” is a refuge for Workman,
a place where he says he does some of his
best thinking – and can chase his beloved
blue grouse. (DAVE WORKMAN)

40

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

or any other Orwellian “newsspeak,”
and you realize his popularity is
rooted in the same ground that
Donald Trump grew the grassroots
support that put him in the White
House. By extension, you’d assume
the media would hate Workman just
like they hate Trump. Many of them
probably do, but he still gets airtime,
and that’s an interesting paradox.
It’s easy to preach to the choir
on any issue. The shooting sports
world has more broadcast outlets
than it ever has before, thanks to
subscription television services
and the internet. Reaching fellow
gun enthusiasts isn’t a problem.
It’s connecting to the nonshooter
that is nearly impossible because of
widespread liberal media bias against
gun ownership.
Workman has successfully done
both. He’s not on mainstream media
all the time, but the fact that he’s on at
all is a noteworthy accomplishment,
especially in an urban market like
ultra-liberal Seattle. I sat down to
talk with him and ask a few questions

about how and why he became what
some call an advocacy journalist for
the Second Amendment.

American Shooting Journal This may be
putting the cart in front of the horse,
but how the heck does a guy like
you get to be the talking head for
the Second Amendment on major
network news aﬃliates in Seattle?
You’ve been on ABC’s KOMO, CBS’s
KIRO and NBC’s KING.
Dave Workman The main reason is I
am a journalist ﬁrst and always, not
a lobbyist. I went to the University
of Washington to get my journalism
degree because that’s what I wanted
to do.
My ﬁrst job was editor of The
Snoqualmie Valley Record. It was a
small-town newspaper in western
Washington and I stayed there for
about seven years. I loved it, but it
didn’t pay much. I had a growing
family and when an opportunity
opened up to be an editor of the
Washington edition of Fishing &
Hunting News, I took it.
That was one of the key moments
in my life. I’d been an outdoorsman
since I was a young boy, both hunting
and ﬁshing. Taking the job at Fishing
& Hunting News combined my
work with my play. I stayed there
21 years. During that time I guess
you could say I got famous in the
state. Most of the editorial was on
the sports, but I also made a point
of keeping our readers informed
about any state or federal legislation
that might aﬀect the sports. It was
at that time I realized that there
was a tremendous ignorance about
ﬁrearms and shooting sports among
mainstream journalists. I made it a
point to make myself available to my
city colleagues. I got a reputation
for giving them the facts so they
wouldn’t look stupid. They might
agree or disagree, but they knew I
wouldn’t lie to them. No journalist
worthy of the name willingly gets
the facts wrong. That’s how I earned
some credibility with my liberal peers
in the Fourth Estate. It was earned
over a long period of time. I’m also
a local, actually fourth-generation

americanshootingjournal.com 41

A prolific author who writes about all
things gun – here he is at this year’s
SHOT Show – Workman says, “Defense
of the U.S. Constitution happens to be
an important issue for me. It should be
for everyone.” (CRAIG HODGKINS, BOTH)

Washingtonian. My greatgrandfather came out here to
homestead in the late 1800s.
ASJ The rise of Fox News
and conservative talk radio
is evidence that a lot of
Americans have simply
given up on the mainstream
media. Is there any hope
that it could shed its antigun bias?
DW Don’t get too hopeful.
I once said that the
mainstream media current
always ﬂows to the left bank and people seemed to latch
onto that idea, but there are still a lot of good journalists
out there, especially outside the extremely liberal urban
centers, who hold to their duty to objectively and truthfully
report the news. Those are the people I’ve got traction with.
You can’t get anywhere with a partisan; they are going to
bend the story and facts to suit their bias.
I think there’s a degree of what I call “social bigotry”
against gun ownership through the mainstream media.
If you are a young journalist in a major urban area, you
are going to be exposed to, and I’d say even conditioned,
to have these prejudices. Call it “groupthink” if you want.
High rates of gun ownership are not characteristic of big
cities. Instead, that’s where you usually ﬁnd your most
severe gun control laws and your highest crime rates.
The urban-born and -raised journalists usually have no
experience whatsoever with ﬁrearms other than news
reporting on crimes with guns. It takes intelligence
to know what you don’t know and courage to take an
opposing view from management. A smart person
is going to see the disconnect between gun control
laws and lowering crime, and there are a lot of smart
journalists out there.
42

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

americanshootingjournal.com 43

ASJ That sounds a lot like ideological
censorship.
DW That’s exactly the purpose of
this liberal social bigotry and it’s
much bigger than just opposition to
the Second Amendment. I won’t let
it go unchallenged. Somebody has
to speak up for the 80 million lawabiding gun owners in America.
Defense of the U.S. Constitution
happens to be an important
issue for me. It should be for
everyone. We’re talking about the
foundational beliefs of our unique
representative government. One
of the most important aspects of
a journalist’s job under our form
of government is to hold people
accountable for their actions. We’re
supposed to comfort the afflicted,
and afflict the comfortable.
The gun prohibitionists are getting
a free pass to misrepresent the facts
and outright lie to the public because
they’ve carefully cultivated an anti-gun
bias in the watchdog that should be
asking them the hard questions. I’ll
give you an example from my career.

44

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

Despite his widespread name
recognition in the gun world,
Workman is very down to
earth and doesn’t consider
himself very interesting. “But
I’ve had the chance to meet
a lot of people who are,” he
says. (DAVE WORKMAN)

A few years ago, the City of
Seattle passed a tax on guns and
ammunition and estimated it would
raise $300,000 to $500,000 annually
that would be used for gun research
done by a local hospital. After the
ordinance was in place for the ﬁrst
quarter of 2016, I ﬁled a Public
Records Act request with the city
to get the revenue ﬁgures and got
stonewalled. They refused to tell
me how much revenue the tax had

raised. That’s public information the
taxpayers have a right to know, but
they did not want to reveal this. I had
to sue them in King County Superior
Court to get the information.
Eventually it came out that the tax
actually raised only $103,000 during
the entire ﬁrst year.
A couple of other reporters wanted
the same information and got the same
non-answer from the city. So I sued
in my role as a working journalist,

americanshootingjournal.com 45

with support from the Second
Amendment Foundation, which owns
The Gun Mag. It was a textbook First
Amendment issue, and we won. It
shouldn’t have had to go that far.
ASJ I would think that approaching
the gun control debate as an
objective professional journalist
rather than a partisan should send
the message out to all sides that
they’d better have their facts straight.
Has that been your experience?
DW The gun prohibitions just can’t do
it. The FBI’s Uniform Crime Statistics
don’t support them and they know
it. The truth is not on their side,
so they hide from it and misdirect
attention from the facts they can’t
misrepresent. I’ve had politicians try
to snow me, and one U.S. Senator
once hung up on me. I’ve never had
anybody in the gun industry do that.
In fact, by contrast, NRA’s
Wayne LaPierre, in all the times I’ve
interviewed that guy, I’ve never once
caught him in a ﬁb. To a reporter,
that’s important, because you learn

to rely on somebody’s word. That’s
really all any of us have. I don’t get
to talk to him as much these days;
that’s what getting older does to all
of us, I guess. But if I needed to ask
him something on the record, I know
he’d answer me straight up. Also,
a couple of times when he was still
NRA president, Chuck Heston sat
down with me for a one-on-one. Beat
that with a stick! How often does the
reporter get to talk to the top man
instead of a hired mouthpiece? The
gun industry has nothing to hide.
ASJ You and Alan Gottlieb have coauthored seven books together that
are packed with facts that everyone
who exercises or hopes to exercise
their Second Amendment rights
should know – Right to Carry: I
Carry A Gun Because A Cop Is
Too Heavy, America Fights Back:
Armed Self-Defense in a Violent Age,
Shooting Blanks: Facts Don’t Matter
to the Gun Ban Crowd, Assault
on Weapons: The Campaign To
Eliminate Your Guns and Dancing

in Blood. How much of an impact
do you think these books have had
outside the shooting community?
DW That’s hard to put your ﬁnger on.
I think people in the gun community
have appreciated them. We’ve gotten
good reviews from readers. Of course,
anti-gunners haven’t liked them at
all. Actually, I do most of the writing
and Alan does the editing. He is an
excellent, precise editor and makes
good suggestions on our manuscripts.
We work pretty well together.
People who haven’t read one of
our books may not realize that they
aren’t written just for gun owners.
They’re written for anybody with
the ability to think and reason. I’m
always a journalist ﬁrst and foremost.
I lay out the arguments and the
facts and the readers can judge for
themselves. You’ll never get that
from the gun prohibitionist gang. It
doesn’t work for their agenda.
I know that our books have
changed the opinions of some antigun and neutral people because
they’ve told me so. The truth has a

way of doing that. The tough part is
getting the truth to them. I’d like to
see every gun owner give one of our
books to one of their anti-gun or gunneutral personal friends as a sincere
gift. I think that personal, genuine,
one-to-one sharing of ideas is a solid,
grassroots way to counteract the
mainstream media’s disinformation.
ASJ Is there any book in particular
you would recommend for that?
DW That’s probably best judged by the
gift giver. They’re going to know what
arguments will have the most weight
with their friend. For people who
don’t think the gun prohibitionists
are a real lobby, I’d recommend
Dancing In Blood: The Gun Control
Playbook. That’s a great one for all
those hunters and shotgunners who
sit on the sidelines of the gun control
debate because they ﬁgure it doesn’t
apply to them. These folks can be
really into their particular shooting
sport, but never call or e-mail their
elected representatives, or worse,
talk down modern sporting riﬂes

Workman takes aim with his Model 57 S&W in .41 Magnum during the 2017 Elmer Keith
Memorial Shoot, held in eastern Washington. He was an early proponent of allowing handgun
hunting in his home state. Much of his writing has also focused on self-defense. (DAVE WORKMAN)

by saying things like, “What do you
need those for?” Maybe they don’t
even join the NRA. My opinion on
that is, if you are a shooter and you
aren’t supporting the NRA, you just
plain aren’t thinking things through.
Dancing In Blood might wake those

folks up to see that the threat is real,
encompasses all ﬁrearms owners and
is very organized.
In Dancing In Blood we wrote
about a secret and very sophisticated
guide used by anti-gun groups to
advance their agenda. Every strategy

we’ve seen the gun prohibitionists
use was there in black and white:
how to exploit tragedy, diverting
attention from the facts with
emotional appeals, what words to
use and avoid, etc., etc. What was so
chilling was that it was the type of
thing that costs a lot of money to put
together. When I tried to contact one
of the authors, I never got to speak
with anyone beyond an assistant and
my calls were never returned. No
surprise there. This document was
never meant for public release.
Gottlieb actually discovered this
strategy guide by accident when he
was looking for something else on
the internet. He showed it to me
and it was astonishing. I wrote a
couple of columns about it at the old
Examiner.com and some other online
writers picked up on it. If that guide
doesn’t sound the alarm for shooters,
nothing will.
When we were working on the
book, I actually found a couple of other
strategy guides that were all very much
like the ﬁrst one. When I write that

50

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

something looks like it came right out
of the gun control playbook, that’s not
just some metaphor.
ASJ You devoted nine years to serving
on the NRA board of directors. That’s
a lot of time for a working man. What
motivated you to run three times?
DW William Jeﬀerson Clinton. I also
saw right away his wife was a threat
to the Second Amendment. As it
turns out, she was an even bigger
threat than he was. I ran for the NRA
board because I felt it was time that
I did my share. It gave me a great
perspective on the inside operations
of the NRA and I worked with a lot
of great people. When you get down
to it, everyone on the NRA board is
on the same team and they are good
people. I was proud of the role I
played in sticking up for the hunting
and ﬁshing rights of sportsmen. As
you may know, all that excise tax
paid on ﬁrearms and ammunition
by manufacturers under the 1937
Pittman-Robertson Act is supposed
to go to support wildlife and preserve

their habitats for future generations
of sportsmen. The NRA has been
instrumental in protecting those
funds from misuse.
ASJ I heard you describe yourself as
one of the few journalists who sleeps
in a tent. With all the work you do
editing The Gun Mag for the Second
Amendment Foundation, getting the
word out for the CCRKBA, writing
books with Alan, and contributing
articles to American Handgunner
online, Gun World, Liberty Park
Press, and newspapers, how much
time does the outdoorsman’s
journalist actually get to spend in the
great outdoors?
DW As much as I can. That’s how I
recharge my batteries. In the fall, I
keep my sleeping bag in the back of
my truck. I head up to what I call
the “High Lonesome,” and when I’m
staring into that campﬁre, it’s good
therapy for whatever ails you.
ASJ What does being an
outdoorsman mean to you? Are you

Booth #2511

NEW

ROOK BRAKE
.223 .556 .308

UN IQU

M
O
C
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UNIQUE-GRIP
conforms to your hand
americanshootingjournal.com 51

a loner in the wilderness, or do you
prefer to share it with friends?
DW Nah, I’m not a loner, but I spend
a lot of time on my own in the high
country. I’ve had some good hunting
pals over the years, people who are
good to spend time with around a
campﬁre. I don’t mind sleeping in a
tent. That’s what they’re for. I do some
of my best thinking up there. No
telephones, no computers. And I’m a
nut about hunting blue grouse, the big
“fool hens.” But you’ve got to get up
there in the high country to ﬁnd them.
ASJ Surely you must have a noteworthy
hunting story. Ever killed a 200-pound
wild hog with just a ﬂint knife?
DW Nothing quite so dramatic.
I’ve made some pretty good longrange shots on mule deer, and I
was one of the early proponents of
handgun hunting in Washington
state. That’s when I became a
devotee of the .41 Magnum.

torqueprecision.com

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52

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

ASJ What have you taken away from
all these years as a journalist?
DW I’ve had the good fortune to
meet some outstanding people in
my career; people who are some
of my dearest friends. Bob Nosler,
for example, gave me a lesson that
I’ve remembered for probably 15
years. We were heading home from
an NRA convention and bumped
into each other at the airport. That
was when I told him about a really
strange experience, at least for me.
A guy had come up to me in the
exhibit hall to shake my hand and
asked if he could have his picture
taken with me. That had never
happened to me before, and Bob
told me that for a lot of people,
we’re “celebrities.” They see his name
on a box of bullets or my name at
the top of a story, and when they
get a chance to meet us, that’s
important to them because at the
end of the day, we work for those
people. I’ve never forgotten that.
Even at my age, I’ve got a few heroes
and Bob is one of them.
Honestly, I don’t think I’m that
interesting. But I’ve had the chance
to meet a lot of people who are. 

americanshootingjournal.com 53

54

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

HANDGUNS

NORTH AMERICAN ARMS
northamericanarms.com • Booth #6108

The Ranger II, the latest addition to the
North American Arms family of ﬁne
ﬁrearms, is a wonderful little .22 Magnum
single-action mini-revolver that no hunter,
trail rider, collector, or shooting enthusiast
should be without. The one-of-a-kind
break-top Ranger II is highlighted by the
versatile .22 Magnum chambering, as well
as its extremely small stature – just 7.6
ounces loaded, and just 51/16 inches long.
With a ﬁve-round cylinder capacity, the
Ranger II sports a 15/8-inch barrel, and a ﬁxed bead front sight. Whether for personal protection or
ridding the world of unwanted varmints, the Ranger II surely is the gun to call upon.

FUSION FIREARMS

DAN WESSON FIREARMS

Introducing the newest member of
the Fusion Firearms series of 1911
pistols – the Riptide. Based on the
very popular Combat Commander
pistol, the Riptide is enhanced
with fine top slide serrations, a
front slide press-check cut with
cocking serrations, and a special
edition vented slide dust cover. As
with the entire Freedom Series,
the Riptide’s frame, slide, and
barrel are machined completely from strong bar-stock. This new addition
ition is
i available in a carrycut model, as well as a magwell version.

A more affordable entry into the Dan Wesson
lineup of custom-grade 1911s, the Vigil Series
pistols are all built around a forged aluminum
frame topped with a stainless slide. Available in
four variants – CCO, Commander, Government,
and Government Suppressor-Ready – all are
ﬁnished in Wesson’s hardy Duty ﬁnish, and wear
cocobolo wood grips. The round-top slide has
a tritium lamp on the front, and a serrated black
tactical sight on back. Front and rear straps are
checkered to 25 lines per inch, and a rounded butt
makes for comfortable concealed carry. MSRP
starts at $1,298.

fusionfirearms.com

SRT ARMS

danwessonfirearms.com • Booth #9246

srtarms.com

SAR USA

CDNN SPORTS

Internally suppressed, the Ruger MkIV .22
Long Riﬂe pistol is the latest version of the
popular Ruger autoloader SRT has been
manufacturing for the past two decades.
Providing unmatched sound reduction as
tested by the U.S. Army, this professional
model Ruger comes with either a 7.1- or 7.8inch tube as measured from the front of the
grip frame. The MkIV produces a quiet 110
to 116 decibels of absolute sound signature,
but cycles most ammunition reliably,
including both subsonic and standard
velocity .22 Long Riﬂe. Try one today; you
won’t believe your ears.

sarusa.com
Possibly the most rigorously tested pistol ever
developed, the new SAR9 from SAR USA endured
desert-like temperatures of 130 degrees, Arctic
conditions of -50, salt fog, high altitude, endless
rain, solar radiation, fouling, drop tests, and some
150,000 rounds while still at the factory, with an
additional 50,000 rounds, courtesy of local
law enforcement. Add to that another 90,000
NATO rounds expended in a shoot-out among
Austrian, German, and U.S. manufacturers, and
the SAR9 emerged the clear-cut winner. The
SAR9 comes in a lockable hard case with two
extra 17-round magazines, three back straps,
cleaning tools, and a lock.

In today’s pistol marketplace, the choices are
almost without number. Yet there always is a
standout, and according to the folks at CDNN
Sports, this standout takes the form of the
Walther 9mm Creed. Features upon features are
what separate the Creed from its competitors
– a precocked double-action trigger system,
bobbed hammer, abrasion-resistant Tenifer
coating, ambidextrous magazine release, lowproﬁle steel three-dot sights, and front and
rear cocking serrations on the slide. The Creed
comes complete with all this, plus two 16-round
magazines, and at a price – $269.99 – that’s
tough to beat.

cdnnsports.com

americanshootingjournal.com 55

HANDGUNS
GUNCRAFTER INDUSTRIES
guncrafterindustries.com

The BC-17 Hellcat has been designed from the ground up,
as the next generation of ﬁghting 1911s from Guncrafter
Industries. The Hellcat gets its name from the company’s new
BattleCrown, an extremely heavy-duty angled bottom barrel
bushing that precisely follows the outside contour of the slide,
giving the Hellcat a very clean, distinctive look. The front
opening of the BattleCrown has an extra deep ﬂare blended to
the barrel, protecting the muzzle crown, while the beveled front
– no sharp edges here! – allows for easy holster insertion.

ULTIMATE ARMS LLC
ULTIM
uaarms.com • Booth #8314
uaarms.co

Tough as
a nails. That’s the very best way to describe the MAGNA T5 Tactical Ultra
Comp from Ultimate Arms. Chambered for the venerable .45 ACP, this 1911 is the
ﬁrst lightweight tactical carry ﬁrearm to be forged from a magnesium alloy born of
ZK60A, a material aged to T5 hardness and that is 35 percent lighter and more durable
than aluminum. The 1911 receivers are machined from a solid billet of T5, ensuring
the ultimate in reliability, dependability, and accuracy. Weighing just 27 ounces, the
Tactical Ultra Comp .45 features a 4.25-inch barrel and competition trigger; integral
ting rail is an option.
mounting

Holster Partners LLC
Victoria, MN 55386
612-669-5956
Body Shield has solved the problem of being pinched & poked when carrying IWB. Because Body Shield can
be detached it can be used with more than one holster. It allows you to use all those holsters that have been
stored in drawers & boxes for years. Visit my web page for sizing information www.holsterpartner.com

oes your inside-thewaistband holster poke,
pinch or otherwise
make concealed carry
uncomfortable? The Body Shield just
may be the solution for you. Created
by Larry Dirlam, president of Holster
Partners, the Body Shield is specially
designed to prevent the irritation that
IWB holsters sometimes produce.
A lifelong firearms enthusiast,
Dirlam wanted to carry his weapon
IWB, but found that it just was
not comfortable for him: “I was
constantly being poked,” he said.
“After talking with several others
who also carried IWB and had the same
problem, I decided to ﬁnd a solution,”
he explained. “After 18 months of trying
different materials and designs, I decided
on ﬂexible cowhide leather because it
wears very well and conforms to the

body, making it more comfortable.”
The result was a product that
keeps the user from being poked and
pinched, plus keeps the user’s gun
from rusting due to body moisture.
“It became the Body Shield and
it works with all sizes of handguns,
from the very small compacts to
large full frames,” said Dirlam.
The Body Shield is incredibly
versatile. Here’s how it works: HD
Hook Velcro is sewn on the Body
Shield and a piece of HD Loop
Velcro attaches to the holster. This
allows the user to wear their other
holsters that have been kept in a
drawer for years. The holster can

be used without Body Shield – just
leave the Velcro on the holster
attached. It’s flexible, sturdy, and
easy to attach and maintain.
The Body Shield works with just
about any IWB holster, as well as
some OWB holsters with minor
modiﬁcations, and is great for off-duty
and on-duty alike.
With an MSRP of $34.99 and an
array of size options (see chart below),
the Body Shield will ﬁt just about
any shooter with any weapon at any
budget. 
Editor’s note: Visit holsterpartner
.com for more information.

Before and after with the Body Shield.

Holster Partners offers an array
of sizes that will fit just about any
shooter and weapon.
americanshootingjournal.com 59

CONCEALED CARRY
GALLERY
AMERICAN MOUNTAIN SUPPLY
Stylish, fully lined purse with interior pockets and shoulder strap.
)UJQLM`\ZW][M`\MZQWZXWKSM\Å\[KWUXIK\WZ[]JKWUXIK\PIVLO]V[
in an adjustable/removable holster. Available in nine patterns.
Part of a full line of CCW accessories.
» www.americanmountainsupply.com

FURY CARRY SOLUTIONS

Comes standard as OWB, but can be converted to IWB.
Features a full sweat guard and full trigger guard coverage.
5WTLML\WaW]Z[XMKQÅKÅZMIZUIVLITTW_[MI[aWVMPIVLMLZMPWT[\MZQVO
Handcrafted in the USA and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
» www.furycarrysolutions.com

ULTICLIP
Ulticlip replaces standard holster clips. Its patent-pending design allows
ÅZMIZUW_VMZ[\WKIZZa_Q\POZMI\MZZM\MV\QWVI[UITTMZNWW\XZQV\NWZ
increased concealment, and maximum versatility. It can be worn without
utt
a belt, and is secure when clipped in a pocket, backpack or purse.
» www.ulticlip.com
p

WERKZ
With over 200 pistols, 70 lights, and 30 colors of Kydex, the
Werkz Bisect 2.0 can be built to meet your appendix carry needs.
» www.werkz.com

For 28 years SmartCarry® the Invisible Holster™
has provided high quality, comfortable and practical
deep concealment holsters. With a patented snag-free
draw and sweat-proof back, wear SmartCarry® just
about anywhere, with any clothing or activity.

AVAILABLE NOW IN LEATHER
AND MULTIPLE COLORS.
Try our new more compact Single Pocket Model.

www.smartcarry.com • (727) 581-7001

WWW.GEARCRAFTHOLSTERS.COM

706-867-8136

americanshootingjournal.com 65

66

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

GEAR

FEMME FATALE
HOLSTERS

FROGLUBE

Welcome to the world of
Femme Fatale Holsters. New
for 2018, FFH presents the
xXxtreme Corset Holster. As
with FFH’s original corset
holster, luxurious lace and
corset elastic combine for a
comfortable, discreet, and
distinctively feminine daily carry solution. In addition to the
standard gun pocket, the xXxtreme Corset features two smaller
waterproof-lined pockets, perfect for extra magazines, ID, or
licenses. Secured by a three-row lingerie hook-and-eye closure
system, the xXxtreme Corset is available in a full range of sizes.

Advanced lubrication
technology might be the best
and most accurate way to
deﬁne FrogLube Extreme, a new
concept in ﬁrearm lubrication.
FrogLube Extreme is the ﬁrst
all-weather 100 percent biobased nonpetroleum ﬁrearm
lubricating system to hit the
market. No petroleum means
no sticky mess, and no freezing or gumming in subzero conditions. In fact, FrogLube
Extreme has been tested to below minus 40 Fahrenheit with no problems nor decrease in
performance. FrogLube Extreme is made using only food-grade ingredients that will not
burn or fail, even under sustained ﬁre situations. Throw a bottle in your range bag today.

femmefataleholsters.com
Booth #3607

froglube.com • Booth #10737

GUNFUN
SHOOTING
TARGETS
gunfun.com

GunFun Targets is
much more than just
a catchy, easy-toremember name.
They’re the leading
provider of targets for
indoor shooting ranges across the country. GunFun serves over 400 ranges coast to coast,
and maintains more than 4 million targets in their wide and varied inventory. With some
200 different styles and patterns, GunFun targets are designed, printed, stored and shipped
directly from their facility in Huntsville, Alabama. GunFun Targets. The best – East to West.

CYA CONCEALMENT
cyaconcealment.com

THE PROFESSIONALS CHOICE

CYA packs feature the highest quality materials in an easyto-carry and quick-to-deploy design. Their combination
of form and function is unmatched in the concealment
arena. Designed with the end user in mind and with
unlimited conﬁgurations, CYA packs are the last pack
you’ll ever need. Featuring three armor pockets and able
to accommodate up to 12-by-14-inch plates, depending on
the model, CYA packs are your back-up plan. Pack, vest,
ballistic shield, and weapons carrier. CYA packs are tough
as nails. They’ll stake their reputations – and lives – on it.

For the past decade, The Professionals Choice has made its
presence known in the shooting industry by being the largest and
most comprehensive patch manufacturer in the U.S. In 2015, The
Professionals Choice was proud to introduce a complete line of
cleaning supplies. Now in 2018, their full-service line of ﬁrearms
cleaning accessories has been expanded to include a pistol and
riﬂe cleaning mat, a silicone wiping cloth, and an extreme weapons
grease. Constructed of 100-percent recycled ﬁbers, the cleaning
mat absorbs oils and liquids efﬁciently, making it perfect for either indoor or outdoor use.

RAM HOLSTER
ramholster.com
The Universal Tourniquet Holster from
Ram Holster is a must-have item for all
law enforcement ofﬁcers and tactical duty
personnel. If you’re carrying a weapon, you
should be carrying a tourniquet. It’s as simple
as that, and thanks to this cutting-edge Ram
product, your tourniquet is never out of arm’s
reach. Made from the industry-standard .080
Kydex, the Universal Holster accepts all GEN
CAT and SOFT T tourniquets. Each holster
is custom made, one at a time, and includes
multiple attachment points, belt clip, TekLok,
MOLLE straps, and Malice clips. Bulk law
enforcement department purchases welcome.

theprofessionalschoice.net

LIBERTY SAFE

libertysafe.com • Booth #7952
In the spirit of tradition and security, Liberty
Safe’s 1776 Series offers UL-listed features and
a boost in ﬁre protection. This attractive gun
safe comes with a one-hour ﬁre rating, and
includes Liberty’s tough 4-inch locking bars,
thicker 11-gauge steel body, and an accessory
door panel for expanded storage capacity.
Two height models – 64 and 72 inches tall – are
available, and both come in a durable gray
marble powder-coat ﬁnish and Liberty’s 3-in-1
Flex Interior, capable of holding up to 64 long
guns. One million different combinations; that’s
what you’ll have with the new quick-access
SecuRam TopLit electronic lock. Protect your
valuables in style with the Liberty 1776 Series.
americanshootingjournal.com 67

gear

CUSTOM METAL PRODUCTS
custommetalproducts.com • Booth #4408

Steel target shooters want strength and simplicity, and the X-Ring Plate Rack from Custom
Metal Products offers plenty of both. The X-Ring features six 8-inch-diameter AR500 steel
targets, each of which is 3/8 inch thick. Inside each of the 8-inch targets is a 4-inch hole,
with a second target. Shoot the center, score an X! The X-Ring includes a fully automatic
pneumatic reset with a competition-style controller. Easily programmable, the controller
sets the timing for the match. Buzzer start, buzzer stop – all you do is shoot. The X-Ring was
featured at the 2017 and 2018 Bianchi Cup, and is used by competitors worldwide.

SNAGMAG LLC
snagmag.com • Booth #3606
The SnagMag Concealed Magazine Holster doubles
your ammo supply, yet doesn’t attract attention to
the fact you’re carrying plenty of ammunition for the
task at hand. Concealed in plain sight and designed to
offer a lightning-fast reload, the SnagMag appears to
be a pocketknife. But oh, what a knife! Over 80 pistol
models are available for either right- or left-handed
shooters. And custom ﬁtting can be ordered at no extra
charge. Trusted and used by law enforcement, ﬁrearms
instructors, and CCW owners everywhere, SnagMag
guarantees you won’t be left empty-handed.

TANNERITE SPORTS
tannerite.com
Tannerite bricks are some of
the most sought-after reactive
targets ever to hit the market.
Available in ¼-, ½- and 1-pound
sizes, these exciting, easy-tosee and -hear targets have
revolutionized the recreational
shooting industry. Tannerite
brand targets conﬁrm you’ve
hit your target with a cloud of
water vapor and a thunderous
boom! No more walking downrange to see if you’ve hit your mark.
Tannerite currently offers several different target kits, one of the most popular includes four
targets (speciﬁed size), mixing container, premeasured
p
catalyst
y packets,
p
and earplugs.
p g Have more
fun when you shoot. Shoot Tannerite!

ALFORD DESIGNS
LIMITED
paulaalford.com • Booth #4116
Handcrafted in Lynchburg, Virginia, this
beautiful collection of fashionable Paula
Alford leather bags, purses, wristlets, andd
now, men’s leather satchels, is sure to
strike the fancy of all those with a passion
n
for good-looking and functional concealed
ed
carry. Available in a variety of textures,
colors, sizes, and styles, Alford’s holsters
are easily detached from the inside of the
e
purse, bag, wristlet or satchel. And each
can be custom-ordered for left- or righthand-draw preference.

68

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

WRIGHT
RIGHT LEATHER WORKS
wrightleatherworks.com
atherworks.com
The Cruiser
ser from Wright Leather Works iin Fremont,
Ohio, is a quick
uick and easy-to-use IWB
IW clip-style holster
that makes for
or the perfect grab-n-go
grab
rig, whenever
you’re in a hurry.
ry. Built with strong steel hardware and
crafted using only
ly the ﬁnest leather, the Cruiser can
accommodate belts up to 1¾ inches wide. Or simply
remove the clip, and the Cruiser transforms into a small,
lightweight tuckable rig. Five color options including
black, mahogany, coffee, walnut, and saddle tan are
available. The Cruiser. It’s not a passing fancy. It may be
the last holster you buy. Ever.

Build it once.
Build it right.
Build it here.
That’s the
mantra at
Pocket Ox, and
describes to
the proverbial
“T” their
amazing Bull
Mini Hoist.
Over eight
years of ﬁeld
trial and product development went into designing
tria
this revolutionary concept in outdoor convenience.
thi
The largest production model offered by Pocket Ox,
Th
the Bull uses 16 pulleys – that’s right, 16! – to create
a llift system rated at 2,000 pounds. A full ton! The
nice thing is the Bull only weighs 24 ounces, and
nic
can ﬁt easily into most daypacks. It’s ideal for ATV or
ca
snowmobile recovery, technical rescue, or hanging
sn
big game animals.

americanshootingjournal.com 69

gear
PRECISION HOLSTERS
precisionholsters.com

BOBBIE WEINER’S
CAMO FACE PAINT
camofacepaint.com
Bobbie Weiner’s Camo Face Paint has
been the number one choice of the U.S.
Military for over 21 years now. In fact,
Weiner Enterprises serves all branches of
the U.S Armed Forces for their camouﬂage
face paint needs. Odorless, non-toxic,
hypoallergenic, and proudly made in the
USA, these run-resistant yet washable
(soap/water) paints come in a wide variety
of colors and kit pattern compacts, including
Desert, Multicam, Scorpion, ACU, Jungle,
5-Color, and, for the hunting community, the
traditional Woodland pattern.

TECHNA CLIP
technaclip.com
Techna Clip recognizes the fact that many
traditional full-round holsters can be a hassle.
They’re bulky. Uncomfortable. And certainly
not concealed. That’s why they came up with
the Techna Clip, a minimalist solution for those
who carry concealed. Techna Clip easily
attaches to your ﬁrearm, with no modiﬁcation
necessary, to deliver a secure, lightweight and
discreet carry option. Whether in your pocket,
waistband, or small of your back, Techna
Clip replaces inconvenience with versatility
and comfort. Maybe that’s why more than
200,000 Techna Clips are in service today. Now
available for the Sig P320.

The Ultra Carry from Precision Holsters presents
a patented firearm containment system designed
to provide you with a higher level of comfort and
confidence. Premium
leather backing,
a technologically
engineered shell, and
adjustable belt clips
are just some of the
features found on the
Ultra Carry. The height
and cant of the holster
are fully adjustable, while
the overall functionality
allows for a consistent
grip and quicker draw.
When you want the best,
choose Precision Holsters.

BARREL BUDDY
barrelbuddy.com
No one likes a dirty barrel, and the only thing worse than a ﬁlthy
barrel is all the muck and grunge that comes with cleaning it. Well,,
kiss those gun-cleaning woes goodbye, thanks to Barrel Buddy.
Barrel Buddy scrubs, collects particulates, absorbs residue, and
buffs your barrel spotlessly clean in one easy-to-accomplish step.
True 360-degree compression translates into full-metal contact with
th
the bore, effectively cleaning riﬂing like never before. Affordable,
portable, and durable, Barrel Buddy distributes solvents and oils
evenly after cleaning. It’s available in seven sizes to ﬁt barrels from
m
.22 caliber to 10-gauge.

MAN GEAR ALASKA
mangearalaska.com
Man Gear Alaska is a small family-owned
and -operated business that still believes
it’s possible to provide customers a quality,
made in the USA product, while maintaining
that one-on-one business relationship
with the individual. Holsters are Man Gear
Alaska’s forte. Their holsters have been
an Alaska standard for over 17 years now.
oose from,
With more than 32 models to choose
each designed to ﬁtt a particular ﬁrearm, carry requirements,
requirements and lifestyle, Man Gear Alaska
holsterss embody the company’s mantra of comfort, convenie
convenience, and conﬁdence. Man Gear
– made in Alaska by Alaskans.

XSTEEL TARGETS
xsteeltargets.com
The Texas Star from XSteel Targets may just be the
most entertaining target ever designed. Built for heavy
every-day use, this competition-grade reactive target
can withstand thousands of hits, due in large part to the
combination of sturdy construction and CNC laser-cut
AR500 steel. The Texas Star stretches 21 inches wide at
the arms, with 8-inch-wide paddles. It sits stationary until
the ﬁrst hit – and then you better be on your toes because
the more it spins, the more challenging the target
becomes! Tested under the most extreme conditions, all
XSteel targets are built to last a lifetime.

CLIPDRAW - SKYLINE TOOLWORKS
clipdraw.com • Booth #2609

Skyline Toolworks, makers of the original Clipdraw, introduces the latest member
of the family – the Clipdraw gun belt clip and trigger sheath bundle for Glocks.
Clipdraw features do-it-yourself installation with no modiﬁcations to the ﬁrearm
necessary. Everything you’ll need is included in the package. Slim and secure,
the Clipdraw system eliminates the bulk and print proﬁle of traditional holsters.
Enjoy easy-to-access inside the waistband concealed carry, without the telltale
“show.” Accompanying trigger sheath ensures complete protection from accidental
discharge while the ﬁrearm is being worn. Go concealed. Go Clipdraw.

STONER HOLSTERS
stonerholsters.com
Headquartered in Middletown, Ohio, in the heart of the
Midwest, Stoner Holsters is your complete one-stop
shopping experience for everthing holster. Your EDC
ﬁtted with a laser? No worries; Stoner makes a holster
for that. Just joined a regional cowboy action shooting
league, and need an authentic western-style rig for
those weekend fun shoots? Stoner makes a beautiful
and functional western belt/holster combo that’s sure
to please. If it’s an OWB leather-lined holster you
seek, it’s hard to go wrong with their Professional
Speed Scabbard (PSS). See Stoner for all your holster
and CCW needs.

ATLAS TARGET WORKS

GEARCRAFT HOLSTERS

atlastargetworks.com

gearcraftholsters.com

The term “one of a kind” gets thrown around
far too often these days; however, and due in
large part to the huge amount of detail put into
Atlas Target Works’ line of ultrarealistic animal
targets, these steel critters certainly do stand
apart from the rest of the pack. Featuring lasercut AR500 steel construction, “hearts” that ﬂip
up when hit, and water jet engraved vitals and
internals that won’t wear off, these are literally
works of art – that you can shoot! Deer, feral
hogs, prairie dogs, coyotes, and squirrels are
available, along with a long list of steel plates
and accessories.

Designed for the appendix-style carry, the
Gearcraft IWB Plus from Gearcraft Holsters
incorporates the standard IWB conﬁguration,
but adds a magazine carrier to the side. Many of
the features that CCW enthusiasts have come
to expect in a quality holster, such as adjustable
gun/magazine retention, are there, as well as
unique options like double J-hooks or single belt
clips for smaller-frame ﬁrearms. Raised sights,
optics, or lasers? Gearcraft has something to ﬁt
hundreds of popular handgun makes, models,
and sighting systems. Always be prepared.
Always go with Gearcraft.

Never go back to smelly, messy solvents again!
The Iosso Bore Cleaning System consists of a
revolutionary bio-based solvent, premium bore
brush, and a triple action oil, which, when used
together, will help get your weapon clean and
keep it clean, no matter how many rounds go
downrange. Perfect for shooters or hunters with
allergies or sensitivities to harsh chemicals, the
Iosso Bore Cleaning System completely removes
carbon, lead, copper, plastic, and other types of
fouling quickly and efﬁciently. And why the blue
bore brush? To say it’s made in America!

AMERICAN MOUNTAIN SUPPLY
americanmountainsupply.com • Booth #2623

Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Longmont,
Colorado, American Mountain Supply has been providing
quality craftsmanship and leatherwork for holsters,
gun cases, and shooting accessories since 1980.
Today, they’re introducing an exciting new purse with
a concealed carry pocket. Available in six fashionable
patterns, three tapestry patterns, as well as Muddy
Girl, Realtree, and Multicam camouﬂage, this over-theshoulder-style bag features two slash zipper entries to
the concealed carry pocket, along with interior pockets
for quick and easy organization. The ambidextrous
holster is easily adjustable and removable. And this, like
all American Mountain Products, is made in the USA.

SNAGMAG
Concealed Magazine Holster

WERKZ LLC
werkz.com
Having trouble ﬁnding a great carry or range holster for
your pistol or pistol/accessories combination? The Origin
Holster from Werkz is your go-to gear. Whether you’re
looking for an IWB holster for your EDC, or an OWB
holster for those sunny range days, the Origin is, without
question, the very best option. The Origin Series holsters
all share the same ﬁne characteristics – wrap-around
design; slim proﬁle; passive retention system; modular
accessorizing platform; and a lifetime warranty. With 210
different pistol options, 70 lights/lasers, and 30 colors
of Kydex to choose from, the good people at Werkz can
build what you’re looking for. Exactly.

The SnagMag™ is designed to
look like a knife riding in your
support-side front pocket along
the outside seam.

• Discreet Way to Carry
an Extra Magazine
• Convenient and Comfortable
• Carries Like a Pocket Knife
• Designed for a Fast Draw
• Lightweight yet Durable
Order Now at Snagmag.com

SPECIAL OFFER! Use the Coupon Code:
NRAAM2018 for 20% off entire order

Carry a Handgun Concealed
Without a Traditional Holster, Case or Pouch
www.CovertCarrier.com

Makes Concealment Easy!

gear
RANGESTORE.NET
rangestore.net

RangeStore.net has an ever-expanding line of
products for the shooting enthusiast, including
Steel Target Paint. Formulated speciﬁcally for,
as the name implies, steel targets, RangeStore’s
Steel Target Paint covers quickly, dries fast,
protects valuable targets from corrosion, and is
environmentally compliant. Each 16-ounce aerosol
can comes with over a pound of paint. Range
ofﬁcers can use the variety of hues to color-code
plates or gongs for competition. RangeStore.net
also carries a complete line of hearing protection,
compensators, eyewear, and cleaners/lubricants.

COVERT CARRIER
TAP RACK HOLSTERS
taprackholsters.com
You want functional adjustability? Then look no further
than Tap Rack Holsters’ OWB series. These incredibly
rugged holsters are made of .080 Kydex, making
them ultraresistant to cracking and warping. Strong?
Absolutely, but it’s Tap Rack’s features you’re going to
love. A feed ramp to facilitate reholstering; adjustable
draw tension; belt loops that can be inverted to attain a cant
ranging from zero to 10 degrees; ride height changes; colors;
imprinting; and a durable cordura fabric laminated onto the
Kydex, making for a quieter holster without the shine or
glare of most high impact plastics. Get exactly what you
want with Tap Rack.

76

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

covertcarrier.com
The Covert Carrier is a unique concealment
device that allows users to carry their
small-frame semiautomatic pistol inside
the waistband (IWB) below the beltline,
without a traditional holster, case, or
pouch. The perfect accompaniment to any
attire, Covert Carrier slips onto the ﬁrearm
in seconds with no modiﬁcation in the
“Universal Sleeve” format, or with easyto-do installation instructions in the case
of the metal fastener. In use, the ﬁrearm
becomes virtually invisible. Worn by CCW practitioners nationwide, the Covert Carrier is
the gold standard for total handgun concealment.

CONCEALED CARRY

gear
PRESENT ARMS
presentarmsinc.com

Not everyone enjoys the chores associated with
gun cleaning. And let’s face it, some ﬁrearms
are simply more cumbersome than others. With
some, you need that third hand in order to make
the job easier. Well, that third hand is available
now, thanks to the ARHook from Present Arms.
Secure the hook using the takedown pin, and
now the upper and lower receiver are a single
yet disassembled unit. Combine the ARHook w
with
Present Arms’ patented Sentinel Plate
late and AR
magazine post to create the perfect user-friendly
cleaning station.
on.

ULTICLIP
ulticlip.com • Booth #10460
The Ulticlip XL is the world’s ﬁrst multi-tool
holster clip and locking steel belt loop. No
longer are you forced to choose between a
holster clip or a belt loop. With the Ulticlip XL,
you can have both. The XL’s locking belt loop
allows the user to carry a holster, sheath, or
accessory IWB/OWB. Featuring wrench sizes
that include ¼, 5/16, and 3/8 inch on one end and
a ﬂat-blade screwdriver on the other, Ulticlip
XL has multiple attachment points allowing it
to be used on a wide variety of products. Made
of strong 1075/1050 spring steel, the Ulticlip XL
can accommodate belts up to 1½ inches wide
and 3/8 inch thick.

FURY CARRY SOLUTIONS
furycarrysolutions.com
The Concealment Series is Fury Carry Solutions’
ons’
most popular holster, and for good reason. The
e series
features a full sweat guard that keeps the ﬁrearm
arm
off the skin, and aids in protecting the piece from
m
corrosion. The series’ unique rivet pattern makess
the ride height of the holster fully adjustable, while
le
a 20-degree forward cant increases concealability.
y.
All Concealment Series holsters ship with Fury’s
standard nylon polymer OWB loops, but each can be
e
easily converted to IWB. The series is available in
both standard and light-bearing conﬁgurations, and
includes a limited lifetime warranty.

Tap Rack Holsters is a leading provider of premium,
American-made, custom gun holsters. Our products are the
result of 40 plus years of combined experience, extreme
attention to detail, and countless hours and dollars spent
testing various materials and styles. Every Tap Rack Holster
is hand-crafted using extreme care and precision, and built
to last because we’re dedicated to providing premium
quality products our customers can rely on.

DPREMIUM QUALITY
DFULLY FUNCTIONAL
DLIFETIME WARRANTY
DCUSTOM BUILDS
DBUILT FOR EXTREME USE
DMADE IN AMERICA
DBUILT WITH AMERICAN MATERIALS AND PARTS
DMADE BY AMERICANS AND VETERANS

78

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

CONCEALED CARRY
AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS | AMERICAN MADE SUPPLIES

CARRY CONFIDENT.

CARRY FURY.

HOLSTERS DESIGNED TO BE
LIGHT WEIGHT, HIGH STRENGTH,
QUICK, PROTECTIVE AND QUIET!

MADE BY HAND.
MADE WITH PRIDE.
MADE IN AMERICA.
Fury Carry Solutions offers
OWB & IWB options for
over 100 handguns. Standard
& light bearing options are
available and include a
Limited Lifetime Warranty.
All FURY products are
proudly made in the USA.

Infinite weapon
adjustability in seconds
No need to change the optimum comfort zone of the backing pad.

No tools required
No mechanical fasteners to lose, loosen or cause discomfort against the body.

Best quality mill spec hook and loop material
Each holster features nearly 14 lbs/psi shear strength, equaling over 125 lbs. of
shear in free state, or 250 lbs while being worn with belt pressure. A high cycle
life that has 2500k + on/oﬀ capability, until it loses 20% of shear strength.

gear
MULTI
HOLSTERS
LLC
multiholsters.com
In the market for a
holster? Let the folks
at Multi Holsters
show you what you’ve
been missing all
these years. Need a
holster for that special custom carry? Again, the folks at Multi Holsters will
get you what you need. Each holster is hand-crafted to the individual ﬁrearm.
No more “making this ﬁt” or “making that ﬁt.” These folks take every detail
into consideration – belt size, cant, rail, attachments, mounting position,
accessories, and more. The end result is a perfect match between you, your
body, your carry preference, and your ﬁrearm of choice.

COAST

coastportland.com
The recognized leader in LED
technology, Portland-based
Coast introduces their frontloading FL85 headlamp, their
ate
most powerful headlamp to date.
Weighing only 4.5 ounces, the FL85 is
powered by three AAA batteries; however,
don’t let the AAA size fool you into thinking this thing can’t light up the
world! With over two hours of run-time at 615 Lumens (high setting), the FL85
provides plenty of illumination, no matter the lighting situation. Fitted with
a fully adjustable reﬂective safety strap and built with an IPX4 waterproof
rating, the FL85 is ready for any environment and any emergency.

TRIPLE K
triplek.com • Booth #3712
Triple K brings innovation to the scoped
handgun holster market with the introduction
of their new Big Thunder. The Big Thunder is
the ﬁrst production holster to fully distribute
the weight of a large-framed handgun evenly
across both shoulders and the torso. As
versatile as it is comfortable, Big Thunder
can accommodate scoped or unscoped
handguns, while keeping the piece in the front ready position. Perfect for those
who ride horseback or ATVs, the Big Thunder is also ideal for those who hunt
from treestands or fans of spot-and-stalk-style hunting. The Big Thunder is now
available for the Ruger Blackhawk Hunter, Bisley Hunter, Ruger Mark I through
IV with 6.8-inch barrels, and the Freedom Arms Model 83 with 7.5-inch barrel.

AEM PRECISION
aemprecision.com
Designed by a Montana
gunsmith, AEM Precision
Ammo Pouches safely and
securely hold 10, 20 or 40
short-action, short-action
ultra-mag, long-action
magnum, or Winchester
short magnum cartridges.
Custom sizing is available. Made of 1000D-backed cordura and locked by a
simple push-button toggle closure, these durable ammo pouches come in a
variety of colors, making differentiating between ammo types and calibers
a quick and easy visual. Don’t rattle around in the ﬁeld. Get a set of AEM
Precision ammo pouches today.

RedCliff Concealed
Carry Purse – P01
This Concealed Carry Purse is
available in several patterned
fabrics, suitable for right- or
left-handed shooters with the
ƓUHDUPFRPSDUWPHQWEHLQJ
accessible by a zipper on either
side. The purse also features
a built-in adjustable hook/loop
holster, with a fully lined interior.

Binocular harnesses are a fantastic idea; that
is, until you ﬁnd your optics down around your
beltline and totally inaccessible. Or worse,
constantly in the way. Unlike these old school
harnesses, the Ultra-Light Bino harness from
Rick Young Outdoors features a patented singlepoint adjustment and sturdy shock cord that
won’t stretch or sag. The cord hugs your body,
transferring the weight of the glasses equally
around your shoulders and chest. No more sag.
No more inconvenience. Compact, lightweight,
strong, and fully adjustable, this is the last
binocular harness you’ll ever have to purchase.

82

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

Built to very precise speciﬁcations at their shop
in Texas, the good people at Garrett Industries
create some of the ﬁnest holsters available
today. The Silent Thunder GT is fast becoming
one of the company’s best sellers, and for good
reason. Thin, comfortable, concealable, and
durable, the ST GT offers draw retention and
ride height adjustment. Each ST GT is made of
rugged .060 Kydex, creating a thinner, lowerproﬁle holster that follows exactly Garrett
Industries’ simple formula – the smaller the
package, the more comfortable the ride. All of
Garrett’s IWB designs follow this rule, making
for maximum comfort, ﬂawless one-handed
reholstering, concealability, and stability.

CLINGER HOLSTERS
clingerholsters.com
The Comfort Cling from Clinger Holsters is the easiest-touse, most comfortable holster you’ll ever own. Simply slide
it into your waistband and tighten your belt for all-day,
all-situation security. The Comfort Cling uses friction rather
than bulky metal clips to secure your ﬁrearm. Rugged and
extremely durable, the Comfort Cling features a unique gel
cushioning system designed to be just what the name implies
– comfortable. And if you’re thinking a higher price for all
this comfort and convenience, think again. At just $19.99, the
Comfort Cling is the most affordable clipless holster available.

americanshootingjournal.com 83

gear
INTERNATIONAL HANDGUN LEATHER
ihlusa.com
It’s a timeless classic, and wildly popular, too. International Handgun
Leather’s traditional OWB holster, the Combat Classic, has been tending
Leath
to the ccontainment needs of concealed carry individuals for years, and it
continues to get better. The Combat Classic is a full-length pancake style
holster, with an open bottom and a muzzle rearward cant. A full length of
holster
conﬁgurations and options are available, including color, slot size, rightcon
or lefthand, and thumb break. Each Combat Classic comes precurved, and
each is made in America with leather tanned right here at home.

LANSKY
SHARPENERS
lansky.com • Booth #8742
Lansky Sharpeners, a world
leader in innovative sharpening
technology, introduces their newest
addition, the Roadie 8-in-1 Keychain
Sharpener. The Roadie contains
more useful features per square
inch than any other sharpener. Just
clip the carabiner on your pack,
and you’re ready to hit the road.
The Roadie includes a carbide
sharpener, two screwdrivers,
variable hex wrench, bottle opener,
box cutter, pry tool, and a line cutter.
Stay ready. Stay sharp with the
Roadie 8-in-1 sharpener.

84

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

VACUPACK
VACUPA
vacupack.com
vacupack

For consistent controlled cooking, the
Sammic SVP-100 Clip-On immersion
circulator allows chefs and shadetree gourmets alike to cook with
precise temperatures for a controlled
environment that results in perfectly
prepared meats, ﬁsh, vegetables, and
desserts. This small, space-saving
unit is ideal for the mobile chef, or
for culinary artists who travel and
prepare in a concession-style format.
Precise temperature accuracy is
guaranteed, with both audio and
visual notiﬁcation session-end
settings. True to Sammic quality, the
sous-vide meals produced by the
SVP-100 will not disappoint.

ZMAX
zmax.com/products/firearms
Trusted by millions in automobile
engines, fuel systems, and
transmissions since 1937, zMax
brings to the ﬁrearms market two
new products – Boltlube, and
Bore Cleaner and Conditioner.
zMax works by soaking into metal
to disperse carbon deposits;
deposits that cause premature
wear and an overall decline in
performance. Boltlube provides
ideal lubrication, suspends gas residue, reduces
friction, and provides easy clean-up. Bore Cleaner/
Conditioner works on all contact surfaces, reducing
the build-up of combustion particles and preventing
bore fouling.

americanshootingjournal.com 85

gear
AXIL- SPORTEAR
goaxil.com • Booth #7510

The problem with hearing protection is it’s often
incredibly bulky and uncomfortable. Well, the folks
at AXIL have taken care of that problem, along with
a lengthy list of other issues, with their revolutionary
Ghost Stryke Essential hearing protection and
enhancement earphones. No more bulky muff-style
e
hearing protection, thanks to Ghost Stryke’s slim
proﬁle and innovative Autoblocker technology that
at
automatically shuts out sounds at 85 decibels and
nd
higher. A rechargeable lithium battery offers 122
full hours of protection and hearing enhancement,
ment,
while the patented in-ear design provides all-day
l-day
wearable comfort.

MTR CUSTOM LEATHER
mtrcustomleather.com • Booth #10939, 6007
The A-2 Dual Purpose Holster from MTR
Custom Leather offers the best of both worlds.
Wear it IWB one day, and the A-2 easily
converts to OWB carry simply by removing the
powder-coated holster clips. Once removed,
the A-2 becomes a traditional slotted pancakestyle holster. The spotlight shines on function
and design with the A-2. A reinforced mouth
prevents collapse when used IWB, and to
ensure easy one-handed reholstering. Quality
bull hide and hardware make the A-2 as rugged
as they come, and its design makes it one of
the most versatile.

CELTIC HOLSTERS
celticholsters.com • Booth #3205
Don’t let the name fool you! This holster
is anything but tiny when it comes to
providing full-service satisfaction. The Wee
Celtic Deluxe Holster from Celtic Holsters
offers wearers the ability to adjust the
cant of the ﬁrearm while it’s being worn.
And different position options means more
comfort. Simply twist the screw to change
the draw retention; it’s just that easy. No
need to sacriﬁce concealment, comfort,
ﬂexibility, or proper draw style. Not with the
Wee Celtic Deluxe.

"Rugged, reliable, takes up hardly any room in
the top lid of my pack and, in my opinion, these are
the ﬁnest on the market." - Satisﬁed Customer

You are the rock where
I am safe. You are my
shield, my powerful
weapon, and my place of
shelter. You rescue me
and keep me safe from
violence.
Samuel 22.3

FROM
BACKPACK,
TO BALLISTIC
SHIELD, TO
PLATE CARRIER
IN SECONDS!

cyaconcealment@gmail.com

757-403-1749

www.cyaconcealment.com
americanshootingjournal.com 87

gear
D.M. BULLARD LEATHER MFG
LLC
dmbullardleather.com
Texas’s ﬁnest gun leather is made by DM
Bullard Leather in Azle. Whether you are
looking for that new leather holster, belt or riﬂe
sling, or cowboy rigs, cartridge belts, wallets or
knife sheaths, they’re handmade from beautiful
100-percent Hermann Oak Leather in their shop.
Choose from a variety of exotic skins, bull hides
and custom hand-tooling in a multiple choice
of colors. Visit the website and online store to
see all of the different custom-designed leather
holsters and belts.

MUSK OX PRODUCERS
CO-OPERATIVE QIVIUT HANDKNITS
qiviut.com
The Smokering, or Nachaq, is designed to be worn either
up like a hood, or around the neck as a cowl or accent
scarf. Nelson Island, from which the Qiviut Nelson
Island Pattern Smokering takes its name, is located
approximately 500 miles west of Anchorage on the coast
of Alaska. The unique pattern comes from the diamondshaped trim on the edge of their fur parkas, which
represents the sea ice forming around in the island in
winter, and breaking up into drifts in spring. The Musk Ox
Producers Co-op employs the most active knitters in the
region, and their skill shows with every stitch.

BUFFALO ARMS COMPANY
buffaloarms.com
The Buffalo Arms Company is your source for old, obsolete and hardto-ﬁnd ammo and shooting supplies. Outﬁtters to the Old West – and
people who like to visit there.

CAN CAN CONCEALMENT
cancanconcealment.com

The Hip Hugger Classic Holster is the most
versatile option in the Can Can Collection.
Holding up to four ﬁrearms and three
holsters, the Hip Hugger incorporates all of
the features found in every Can Can Holster,
including holstering tabs, weapon-retention
magnets, and nonslip silicone construction.
Designed for either right- or left-hand
draw from both front and back holster, the undeniably feminine Hip
Hugger is available in a size for every woman and every style of handgun.
Sophisticated, timeless, and in a class of their own, the company’s holsters
are the choice for concealed carry women everywhere.

Emphasis on Quality
Accent on Innovation
n

We specialize exclusively in vacuum
packers / sealers since 1984.
We are a complete center with repairs, supplies,
sales of both home style vacuum sealers and
commercial industrial vacuum packers.
www.vacupack.com and www.vacupack.ca
Phone Toll Free 1-800-227-3769
88

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

Lightweight, easy
setup, portable,
very tough polymer!

Target Stand
High Impact
Polymer Uprights

Polymer target stand and Polymer vertical
uprights based on the 1” x 2” ﬁr strip – stand
can use standard wood vertical uprights, commonly found at your local lumber store, or
the much better performing polymer vertical
uprights we manufacture – 10-to-1 better
performance over wood.
Law Enforcement gun ranges love our product.
When stand is accidentally shot, you can
still remove vertical uprights over metal and
stand polymer is tough enough to allow hits
and still be functional.
Our target stand is used across many
shooting disciplines: recreational, competition,
gun range, professional, LE and Military.

MADE
IN THE

USA

SHOP TODAY

www.hatpointtarget.com
americanshootingjournal.com 89

gear
OREGON PACK WORKS
oregonpackworks.com

ADCO

adcosales.com
Booth #10054
Countless shooters
have learned over
the years that
for about $10,
they can save
themselves from
the arduous task of reloading pistol magazines, thanks
to the Super Thumb Tools from ADCO. In just four easy
steps, magazines go from dead to full, saving time and
trouble – not to mention plenty of thumbnails. Now, ADCO
has available the Super Thumb Complete Set (STCS). The
set includes six individual units, plus two Super Thumb
Juniors, and covers a wide range of center ﬁre and target
pistol calibers. Get the Super Thumb! Your opposable
digit will thank you.

Based in Bend, Oregon Pack Works began
aggressively testing their innovative outdoor
products in 2009, and formally launched the company
pany
the following year. The company’s signature packk
suspension system – the One is All – is the foundation
ation
of their line; the perfect system for hunters, search
ch
and rescue personnel, or for military and tactical
operations. With the One is All Suspension System,
m,
users can create different pack types on the spot.t.
Oregon Pack Works’ proprietary fabric is waterproof,
roof,
burr-resistant, soft, shear, quiet, and punctureresistant. From Lumbar pack to the Expedition, this
is
system does it all.

HOLSTER PARTNERS
holsterpartner.com
The Body Shield is a revolutionary new product
that solves the potential problem of being poked
and pinched when carrying concealed inside the
waistband. Comfort has long been an issue with IWB;
well, not anymore, thanks to Holster Partners’ Body
Shield. This thin ﬂexible shield provides a comfortablee
barrier of protection between you and your ﬁrearm.
Simply attach the Body Shield to your existing holster
with the hook-and-loop material (included), and voilà –
no more irritating pokes and prods. There’s no reason
carrying concealed shouldn’t be comfortable. And it
can be, thanks to the Body Shield.

This line of tactical riﬂescopes packs incredible high-demand features
into every item. Massive mil-rad turrets, mil-spec reticles, ﬁber optic
iControl illumination with auto-off functionality and stunning optical
performance will shake shooters to their core. Built with the reticle in
the ﬁrst focal plane on 30mm and 34mm main tubes, these riﬂescopes
allow for an optimal range of adjustment. Feature for feature, spec
for spec, you will ﬁnd no better optic for your demanding needs.

Kramer Handgun Leather’s IWB
WB #2 deﬁnes w
what
an IWB holster should be. Constructed
cted of pr
premium
horsehide and molded to your speciﬁc ﬁrearm, the
IWB #2 will not collapse when the gun is drawn,
facilitating easy one-handed reholstering. Screws
– not snaps – secure the belt loops, allowing a full
range of adjustments to accommodate a variety of
belt widths. The IWB #2 positions the ﬁrearm in an
FBI forward tilt; ample space permits a full ﬁring
grip without shifting ﬁnger position. It’s available in
black, mahogany, or tan for most semiautomatics
and revolvers.

SHOOTING CHRONY, INC.
shootingchrony.com

Strength of 5
Carries like 30

Made of 20-gauge
steel but weighing
less than 2½ pounds,
the Shooting Chrony
is powered by a single
9-volt alkaline battery
(not included) and
features a large LCDreadout. When folded,
the unit measures a
mere 7½ inches long,
4½ inches wide and
2¾ inches high. Every
Shooting Chrony
comes with a triangular shooting area, adjustable
from 8 inches by 8 inches to 14½ inches by 14½ inches,
depending on the shooter’s needs and situation. The
ultimate in portable ballistic data interpretation, the
Shooting Chrony is a must-have for every range bag.

18 ounces 20 Cubic in.
1,000 lb. Calf mini hoist

HATPOINT TARGET LLC
hatpointtarget.com • Booth #12059

Ancient Technology
Modern Materials

www.PocketOx.com

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American Shooting Journal // May 2018

Lightweight, extremely portable, easy-to-use, and
stackable, the polymer target stand from HatPoint Target
is one tough customer. Stable under a wide variety
of temperature conditions, HatPoint’s polymer target
stand uses common 1-by-2-inch ﬁr strips (not included)
as vertical supports for any number of different target
shapes and designs. Available in a variety of widths
ranging from 6 to 24 inches, the stands can be staked
solidly, and can withstand multiple impacts. When
necessary, the vertical ﬁr supports can be changed
quickly, and the target’s back in service.

The PX4 Storm from Advantage Tactical features the company’s
newest sight system – the Advantage Tactical Dark Diamond
th only iron sight system in which
Sight (ATDDS). The ATDDS iss the
ht alone, wit
an illuminated front sight
with the beneﬁt of being able to
see the rear sight, will allow for accur
accuracy in the dark. The rear
ortions of the front sight
sight obscures portions
sight, creating a diamond
pattern. See the diamond, and you’re aligne
aligned and on target. The
orts the largest front sight in the ind
ATDDS sports
industry; the diamond
dds precision. Want perfection? Get a diamond.
dia
point adds
The Dark
mond Sight from Advantage Tactical.
Diamond

SWAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA
swarovskioptik.com • Booth #9250
Swarovski Optik North America, a subsidiary of the Austrian-based
company, announces the new Kahles K525i. This incredibly rugged
riﬂescope was developed for tactical use and long-range shooting
situations. With four precise illuminated reticles in the ﬁrst focal plane
and an ergonomic user-friendly design, the K525i offers maximum
optical performance, ﬁeld of vision, contrast, and quality. The patented
Twist Guard windage adjustment system and clearly deﬁned turret
mechanism make the K525i one of the most innovative and exceptional
riﬂescopes to hit the American market in years.

Nightforce Optics has introduced two new riﬂescopes,
each offering an 8:1 zoom ratio.
Measuring just 8¾ inches and weighing only 17 ounces,
the NX8 1-8 x 24 F1 is the perfect compliment to any lightweight
mountain riﬂe, and any situation where overall weight might be a
concern. The NX8 includes a daylight-visible center red dot reticle,
and is offered in either MOA or Mil-Radian adjustments. The Nightforce
ATACR 1-8 x 24 F1 sports ED glass, daylight visible illumination, .1 MilRadian adjustments, an extremely low proﬁle, and superb clarity and durability. It’s a
new look at the Power of Eight from Nightforce Optics.
americanshootingjournal.com 95

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American Shooting Journal // May 2018

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optics/sights

MARCH OPTICS
marchoptics.com
At just under 8½ inches long and weighing only
17 ounces, the Shorty from March Optics is proof
positive that great things can – and do – come in
small packages! Perfect for your next ultralight
tactical build, the Shorty showcases its amazing
1-8x range in a ﬁrst focal plane design. The true
1x setting allows use with both eyes open, and
the diopter adjustable eyepiece brings perfect
clarity to the four-level illuminated reticles.
Choose between either a 6-Mil illuminated
circle, or concentric rings at 6- and 25-Mils.
Incredible Japanese glass and attention to detail
make March scopes a pleasure to use, and the
envy of friends and competitors alike.

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American Shooting Journal // May 2018

GERMAN
RMAN
PRECISION
CISION OPTICS
C

RITON OPTICS

German Precision
ision Optics, USA, is changing
the way hunterss and shooters see things.
ny’s ﬂagship riﬂescopes
One of the company’s
x50i – sports an
– the Passion 2.5-15x50i
almost endless list of beneﬁts for tthe user,
including Super-zoom 6x techn
technology that
keeps objects, both near and far, in crystalclear view; iControl ﬁber optic micro-dot
illumination; internal PASSIONtrac quick-zero
turrets; GPO bright lens coatings; and double
HD objective lens technology. Built tough
for the dedicated shooter, German Precision
Optics are sure to impress even the most
discerning user.

Riton Optics, a veteran-owned company, is now
featuring the Mod 5 GEN2 scope, complete with
a ﬁrst focal plane reticle, 6-24x magniﬁcation,
and the popular Riton Center Crosshair
Illuminated Ranging Reticle. This optic features
high-quality HD Japanese glass averaging
99.5 percent light transmission. With fully
multi-coated lenses, this riﬂescope is fogproof,
waterproof, and shockproof, providing an
extremely clear picture in any light or weather
conditions. At a price of $499, the Mod 5 GEN2
also features push/pull locking zero reset
turrets, a fast-focus eyepiece and side parallax
control, and is backed by Riton’s unlimited
lifetime warranty.

gpo-usa.com • Booth #7455

ritonoptics.com • Booth #9933

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

NEW FROM KAHLES:

TWO TOP-QUALITY KAHLES SCOPES DEBUT

ENTER THE ULTRA-SHORT K318I AND
THE K525I – A WINNING PAIR

S

pring and summer are the right
times of year for mounting new
optics on a favorite rifle or a new
one, and for 2018, Swarovski
Optik of North America has introduced a
pair of new scopes from Kahles that are
the top of the line for the rigors of the
American outdoors.
There is no better time of the year for
upgrading one’s rifle optics. Those long,
lazy days of summer provide lots of
daylight hours for range work, and there
is possibly no better way to spend an
afternoon and evening than lingering at
the shooting bench to precisely adjust a
newly installed scope, one careful shot
at a time. You’re under no pressure. You
take your time.
Our experience with Kahles optics goes
back at least a couple of decades. The
brand represented quality then, and
today they’re even better.
One of these new models is the K525i,
with sharp edge-to-edge clarity, ¼-MOA
positive click adjustments and a parallax
wheel integrated into the elevation
turret. This scope boasts the patented

Twist Guard windage that prevents
accidental adjustment, illuminated
reticles in the first focal plane and large
adjustment range.
According to company literature,
the K525i is available with four
precise illuminated reticles
in the first focal plane.
This
5-25x56mm
riflescope is available
with the following
reticles:
SKMR3,
SKMR, MSR2 or MOAK.
All of this is housed in
a 34mm main tube. The
scope has an overall length of 14.8 inches,
and it weighs 34.2 ounces. It boasts an
eye relief of 3.74 inches and has a matte
black finish.
Designed to meet the challenges of
all kinds of terrain, from forests to
the wide-open prairies, the K525i will
definitely deliver.
ALSO MAKING ITS DEBUT is the Kahles
K318i, a 3.5-18x50mm Ultrashort riflescope
which has been years in development.

This
model
features a first focal
plane reticle, developed
for tactical use and longrange shooting.
Like its larger sibling, the K318i
has a parallax wheel integrated into
the elevation turret, so it is userfriendly for both right- and lefthanded shooters. And continuing
the similarities, this little compact
also offers the patented Twist Guard
windage adjustment protection.
This model features an Allen key for
zeroing the turrets that is housed in the
cap of the illumination unit.
Weighing 32.59 ounces, the K318i is
12.32 inches long. It has a 34mm main
tube and offers 3.62 inches of eye relief.
It is also finished in matte black.
THERE SHOULDN’T BE any doubt about
the capability of either Kahles scope
model when it comes to absorbing
all available light. With their large
objective lenses, either will perform
even in the dim twilight of dawn or
dusk, the time of day when game and
predators might be most active.
Designed and built in Austria, Kahles
scopes have earned a reputation for
precision, reliability and ruggedness.
They are built for years of service in all
kinds of conditions, from first light of
opening day to the successful climax
and a notched tag.

Bringing in a mature tom is what spring turkey
hunting is all about, and diversifying your
calling repertoire can make it happen.

There’s a plethora of turkey calls out there, and here’s how to make the best use of each kind.
STORY & PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN

W

e’re in the ﬁnal stretch
of spring turkey season
and if there’s one thing
I’ve learned in more
than 25 years of hunting these birds
throughout the country, it’s the
importance of call diversiﬁcation. In
my turkey vest you’ll ﬁnd a range of
calls. Are they all necessary? No, but at
one time or another I’ve used them all
in order to call in ﬁnicky toms.
It’s not too late to pick up some
calls and offer those wily birds
something different. If looking to
expand your turkey-calling repertoire,
consider implementing these calls.
BOX CALLS
The box call could be the most popular

turkey call used by hunters across
America. Box calls are easy to use and
their sounds, very real. I know of many
seasoned hunters who prefer box calls
due to their quality sound production,
and they’re the best call for beginners.
Whatever box call you choose,
make sure it’s freshly chalked, or
treated, in order to produce the most
realistic sounds. I carry two box calls;
one all-weather model that produces a
range of sweet sounds, and one that’s
extra loud for carrying long distances,
through mountains and bad weather.
If you can get yelps, clucks and
purrs to sound good on a box call,
you’ll regularly bring in toms. With the
underside of the paddle chalked, pass
it over either side of the beveled edges,
or the lip of the box, to create sound.
To make simple yelps, hold the

bottom of the base between your thumb
and ﬁngers. With the other hand, pinch
the paddle handle between the thumb
and index ﬁnger. With the center of the
paddle about half an inch to the side of
one lip, lightly drag the paddle across
the lip of the box. Stop the dragging
motion when the center of the paddle
is about half an inch on the opposite
side of the lip. This short, 1-inch stroke
is a yelp. Apply three to ﬁve of these in
succession at the rate of about one per
second, and you have a series of yelps.
The most commonly heard sound
in the turkey woods is the yelp made
by a hen. About 80 percent of the toms
I’ve called in have come to a hen yelp, a
sound that signals a bird’s location and
communicates all is safe.
To produce a purr, the turkey’s sound
of being content, gently slide the paddle
americanshootingjournal.com 105

ROAD HUNTER
an inch or two across the lip. With some
calls, the weight of the paddle is enough
to generate a quality soft purr sound.
Clucks are often used in
conjunction with purrs and yelps.
Clucks are made by quickly plucking
the paddle over the lip in an upward
motion. With the cluck, the paddle
only travels about an eighth of an inch
over the lip. Clucks are good to use at
the end of a series of yelps. They’re
attention-getting sounds birds often
use to communicate location.
MOUTH CALLS
In my selection of diaphragm calls
is an array of single-, double- and
triple-reed calls, as well as ones with
notched, split and stacked reeds.
The purpose is to have models that
produce different sounds.
As for working diaphragm calls, just
dive in. Don’t be intimidated, as these calls
are easy to work, offering the best handsfree calling there is. This can be vital

106

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

Box calls are a favorite of most turkey hunters, and there are countless makes and models to choose
from. All working parts are the same, as labeled here.

when nervous toms approach, allowing
you to generate realistic sounds with no
movement. If you can get yelps and purrs
out of a diaphragm call, that’s enough.

Start with a single-reed call when
trying diaphragms for the ﬁrst time, as
they are the easiest to blow. Your goal
is to simply get a sound, not mimic a

americanshootingjournal.com 107

On a slate call (top), yelps (movement A) are made by dragging the tip
of the striker toward you while pushing down, then returning it to the
starting position. When making this oval-shaped motion, the striker never
leaves the slate. Purrs (B) are created by gently applying pressure on the
striker while skipping it over the slate’s surface. Clucks (C) are made by
firmly pushing the striker into the slate while quickly moving it toward you,
producing a sharp, one-note sound. There’s a wide variety of strikers and
pots (bottom) out there that allow a range of turkey sounds to be made.

turkey right away. To generate a sound, it’s all about properly
positioning the call in your mouth and applying proper
tongue pressure.
Using your tongue, position the call in the roof of your mouth
about halfway between your front and back teeth, with the open
edge facing forward. On multi-reed calls, place the short reed
down. You may need to trim the tape or slightly bend the frame
to get a comfortable ﬁt.
When preparing to call, place the top of your tongue
against the tape, pinning it to the roof of your mouth. This will
create a seal so no air passes over the top of the tape or around
its edges. When blowing lightly, you want air moving over
your tongue, but beneath the diaphragm, never over it. Sound
is generated by causing reed vibration.
The simplest sounds to make with a diaphragm are hen
yelps. With the call in your mouth and slight pressure on
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American Shooting Journal // May 2018

americanshootingjournal.com 109

the reed with your tongue, lightly blow while mouthing the
word “yelp.” Keep with it, repositioning the call as needed in
order to get the sound.
Once you get the yelp, try for a purr. Purrs are made by
blowing and ﬂuttering the lips, or by blowing and ﬂuttering
the tongue. Either way, the goal is to get soft, short, nonthreatening sounds of content.
Clucks are next and can be made by expelling a short,
sudden burst of air while saying the word “puck.” Build
air pressure in your chest, then quickly release it while
mouthing the word “puck.” To end the call, quickly close the
lips, cutting off the sound. It’s a short, quick note that is used
in combination with yelps and purrs, and is good to apply
when a tom is hung-up just out of shooting range.
POT (SLATE) CALLS
Pot calls, often called slates, are another friction call
and are a must-have for all turkey hunters. These
are some of my favorite calls, producing what my
ears perceive as the most realistic turkey sounds I’m
personally capable of generating.
A pot call consists of three parts: a pot, a calling
surface and a striker. The pot serves the purpose of
supporting the calling surface and acts as a sound
chamber. The calling surface is what the striker is
skipped across to produce sound.
Calling surfaces range from slate to glass, aluminum,
plexiglass and more. Each surface yields a different sound,
and each type of striker produces a unique sound.
Prior to making any sounds on your slate call, rough up
the surface with abrasive paper. Drag the tip of your striker
across the abrasive paper too, making sure it’s clean. Hold
the striker about an inch up from the bottom, like you would
a pencil. Tip the top of the striker away from you, so the peg
is at about a 45-degree angle to the pot’s surface. This angle
should remain the same throughout the calling process.
Yelps are easy to mimic on a slate call. Begin by holding the
pot in one hand. Grip it around the outer edges, making sure not
to cover the sound chambers in the bottom, whereby muffling
the sounds. When making a yelp on a slate, the striker remains
in constant contact with the calling surface, even when traveling
away from the pot’s center.
Place the tip of the striker on the slate and draw an oval
shape. The oval motion should ﬁt on the surface of a dime.
The “yelping” sound is made when the striker is pushed
downwards and pulled toward the center of the call, skipping
across the pot’s surface. When returning the striker to the
starting position, no sound will be generated, as the angle of
the striker is wrong to “skip” over the tiny grooves etched in
the pot. Each time the striker moves downward, it creates a
yelp. Repeat, making the oval three to ﬁve times in sequence,
and you’ve created a yelp sequence.
By applying more or less pressure on the striker,
you’ll get higher- or lower-pitched sounds. What tones
110

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

americanshootingjournal.com 111

Author Scott
Haugen took
this earlyseason tom
at nearly
4,000 feet. To
overcome the
windy, cold
conditions, he
hunted the
leeward side
of mountains
and utilized
multiple calls.

you get depend on the pot and
strikers being used.
Purrs can be created by moving
the striker across the slate’s surface
in a straight line. Grip the peg about
half an inch higher from where you
gripped it to make yelps. This will
expose more of the peg, allowing
perfect tones to be reached. With
slight pressure, draw the tip of the
striker straight toward you, from the
outer edge of the slate to the middle.
As you draw the striker toward you,
it will lightly skip across the slate’s
surface, producing purrs.
Clucks can also be made on a slate
call. Grab the striker about half an
inch from the bottom and ﬁrmly press
down while pulling it toward you on
the slate. The peg should make a quick
jump, creating a one-note sound.
When it comes to turkey calls, try a
variety. Practice with them so you can
call with conﬁdence when on the hunt.
Study and learn turkey communication
to aid your calling and you’ll develop the
skills to call in toms in many situations.
The result will be more turkey dinners
for you and the family. 
Editor’s note: For signed copies of
Scott Haugen’s popular book Western
Turkey Hunting: Strategies For All
Levels, send a check for $20.00 (free
S&H) to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box
275, Walterville, OR 97489, or visit
scotthaugen.com. The 208-page book
contains over 270 color photos and is
the most comprehensive title of its kind.
112

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

americanshootingjournal.com 113

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American Shooting Journal // May 2018

KNIVES
KERSHAW

kershawknives.com • Booth #9652
Designed by reknowned Belarusian knife maker
Dmitry Sinkevich, Kershaw’s new Atmos features the
artist’s characteristic clean, practical makeup, but with a touch
of detailing. The blade is a slim modiﬁed drop point with a top swedge,
which has been machine satin-ﬁnished on the grinds, and satin-sanded on the
ﬂats. A lightweight G10 handle includes a secure, weight-reducing inset liner
lock, and a top layer of carbon ﬁber. A custom oversized pivot point, Kershaw’s
KVT ball-bearing opening system, and a reversible deep-carry pocketclip
round out the Atmos’ amenities. Whether you’re ﬁeld-dressing an elk or
opening a letter, the Atmos will do it with style.

ZERO TOLERANCE
RANCE
KNIVES
ztknives.com • Booth #9652

Big. Aggressive. Formidable. Solid. Impressive.
sive. That’s
how best to describe the new 0393 from Zero Tolerance
rance
Knives. The 0393 combines designer Rick Hinderer’s distinctive
inctive
style with ZT’s solid construction in a more-than-substantial knife
fe that’s
surprisingly lightweight and comfortable. The 0393 shines the spotlightt on a
harpoon-style version of Hinderer’s spanto blade in CPM 20CV for superior
hardness, corrosion resistance, durability, wear resistance, and edge retention.
A titanium handle with G10 overlay, KVT ball-bearing opening system, frame lock,
and a reversible pocketclip all make the 0393 a force to be reckoned with.

ONTARIO KNIFE COMPANY
ontarioknife.com • Booth #12156
The Spec Plus Alpha Combat from the Ontario Knife
Company (OKC) is a full-skeleton, ﬁxed 5.6-inch 57-59HRC
blade fashioned from high-carbon steel with a durable phosphate
coating. With an overall length of 10.8 inches, the SPA Combat features a
patent-pending handle with ergonomically molded synthetic rubber grips that
remain ﬁrmly planted in your hand, even in wet conditions. A curved blade

design and razor-sharp point spotlight durability and incredible balance.
When your personal space has been compromised, it’s time to react. The SPA
Combat is, without question, up to the challenge.

americanshootingjournal.com 115

116

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

rifles
AMERICAN BUILT ARMS COMPANY
abarms.com

As a champion of the Second Amendment, the American Built Arms
Company wants every American to have the opportunity to build their own
made-in-the-USA bolt-action riﬂe. Their “Power to the People” program
combines two outstanding ﬁrearms products – the A*B Arms MOD*X GEN
III Modular Riﬂe System, and the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD
Barreled Action. Thanks to the modularity of the MOD*X GEN III riﬂe system,
any number of aftermarket accessories can be used with the ﬁnal product,
including recoil pads, pistol grips, and hand guards. Long recognized as a
superior bolt-action ﬁrearm, the Remington 700’s reputation speaks for itself.
Both products are shipped together to your local FFL dealer for pickup. Once
in your hands, assembly takes about 15 minutes.

BEST OF THE WEST
longrangestore.com
Looking for a turn-key shooting system that offers value without the expense
of quality or precision? Want a custom riﬂe that’s out-of-the-box ready? The
Best of the West (BOTW) Hunter Elite Lite features a custom BOTW action,
proprietary hand-laid ﬁberglass stock with carbon ﬁber reinforcements, and a
choice of three colors – graystone, foliage, and midnight blue. Caliber offerings
for the Hunter Elite Lite include 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x.284, 7mm Remington Mag,
28 Nosler, and .300 Win Mag. Each riﬂe is mounted with a Huskemaw Blue
Diamond Scope in one of the following models – 3-12x42, 4-16x42, or 5-20x50.
Your riﬂe will be accuracy validated at true sub-MOA, data collected for the
environments you choose, and shipped in a TSA-approved hard case.

TROY
worldoftroy.com • Booth #11542
The Troy SOCC – Special Operations Compatible Carbine – is lightweight, low
proﬁle, and built to exceed Special Operations ﬁeld requirements. Chambered
in 5.56mm and 7.62mm, the SOCC’s 14½-inch barrel with three-prong ﬂash
hider offers a civilian-legal 16-inch overall length. A new slim, snag-free SOCC
M-Lok BattleRail, Troy’s multiposition PDW-style Airborne stock with 14-inch
length of pull, crisp two-stage trigger, and all new Troy SOCC BattleSights
are also featured. Available in Troy’s signature military brown and black,
MSRP for the semiauto SOCC is $1,599; full-auto builds are available for law
enforcement and military applications.

MKS HI-POINT FIREARMS

SAVAGE ARMS

hi-pointfirearms.com • Booth #7316

savagearms.com • Booth #7530

Hi-Point Firearms continues its long tradition of manufacturing reliable,
accurate, quality ﬁrearms at an affordable price, with the introduction of the
1095TS. Chambered for 10mm Auto, the 1095TS carbine is now available in
black, as well as the new Realtree Edge Camouﬂage pattern. The 10mm is
ideal for whitetails in those states allowing straight-wall cartridges, for home
defense, or on the range. Sporting a rugged polymer stock, recoil-dampening
butt pad, and protected iron sights, the 1095TS has a threaded barrel
(.578x28/.45 Auto) for a suppressor. Hi-Point offers the most affordable 10mm
on the market today.

When the stakes are high, settle for nothing less than the precision and
adaptability of the new Savage 110 Tactical. Available in .308 Winchester, 6.5
Creedmoor, and 6mm Creedmoor, the Model 110 Tactical’s AccuFit system
lets shooters customize the length of pull for the utmost in consistency, while
the AccuTrigger provides a light, crisp pull. A custom riﬂe right out of the
box, the 110 Tactical comes with a suppressor-ready barrel, one-piece scope
rail, soft grip fore-end and pistol grip, tactical oversized bolt handle, and
10-round detachable box-style magazine. Both left- and right-hand models
are available.
americanshootingjournal.com 117

RIFLES
LAYKE TACTICAL
layketactical.com
The LT-9 from Layke Tactical is
made of 6061-T6 aerospace billet
aluminum, and features a dedicated
Glock lower receiver with last-round
hold-open, nitride bolt, 7-inch key-mod hand guard, Mil-Spec trigger, KAK Shockwave brace,
and a Hogue Grip. Weighing just shy of 6 pounds, the rugged LT-9 sports a Type III hard
anodized coat, and can be mated to any Mil-Spec AR-15 upper and bolt catch.

SKINNER SIGHTS
skinnersights.com
skin
ih

BISHOP AMMUNITION AND FIREARMS
bishopammunition.com
Based on a trued and blueprinted Remington Model 700 receiver, the 458 SOCOM Hunter by
Bishop Ammunition and Firearms features a ﬁne Timney 510 trigger, 16-inch heavy stainless steel
barrel, multiport muzzle brake, interchangeable barrel system, and seven-round AICS pattern 458
SOCOM-only magazine. With its 300- to 500-grain bullet, the 458 SOCOM is the ultimate brush gun,
perfect for wild hogs or any other big game animal found in North America. It’s available in the
MDT LSS chassis, Magpul FDE and Black Hunter stocks. Bishop Ammunition and Firearms – when
you want the very best aﬁeld.

Introduced in 2017 chambered in .44 Magnum, Skinner
Sights’ Bush Pilot takedown hunting and survival carbine
was an instant success. In response to consumer demand,
Andy Larsson of Skinner Sights has taken this package to
the next level with the introduction of the Bush Pilot .45-70
Gov’t. Featuring Skinner’s rugged, reliable and extremely
accurate peep sights, the new Bush Pilot .45-70 breaks
down into a Skinner-designed case that’s 20 inches overall.
The lever-action carbine kit includes essential survival items
– Brunton compass, Doan ﬁre starter, ﬂare matches, Ontario
Knife Company RAT 7 survival knife sporting the Bush Pilot
logo and serial numbered to the riﬂe, 750-pound paracord,
space blanket, and hexamine stove – all of which ﬁt into the
Skinner case. Be prepared. Get the Bush Pilot carbine from
Skinner Sights.

Car
Carrying
the walletfriendly price tag of $2,200
frie
MS
MSRP, the PH1 by Seekins
Precision is the ultimate
Pre
bolt-action riﬂe designed
bo
with the everyday hunter
wit
in mind. Now, Seekins
ha
has remained true to their
innovative roots with
in
the introduction of their
th
Professional Composites
P
sstocks. In the interest
oof weight reduction and
ddurability, the PH1 comes
with a carbon ﬁber
w
ProComp CH1 stock, as
well as a carbon ﬁber
magazine. All components
of the PH1, with the
exception of the excellent
Timney 510 trigger and
LimbSaver recoil pad,
have been designed and
produced right here at
Seekins Precision.

ABSOLUTE ZERO ORDNANCE
azocustoms.com • Booth #2803

Absolute Zero Ordnance (AZO) is now a platinum dealer for the excellent Masterpiece Arms (MPA) custom
precision riﬂes. One such example – the 6.5 Creedmoor Competition LRP riﬂe – has a guaranteed 3/8 MOA!
These riﬂes, including the barrels, are completely manufactured in-house by MPA. AZO, as a custom ﬁrearms
builder, uses the MPA chassis and parts as a base when building riﬂes to the individual shooter’s requirements.
Carbon ﬁber barrels, for instance, for weight reduction for those hunting big game under physically demanding
circumstances. Absolute Zero Ordnance – only the best builds!

VELOCITY TRIGGERS
velocitytriggers.com • Booth #11352
New from Velocity Triggers is the MPC Series for
AR drop-in triggers. The MPC Trigger features
a 3/8-inch-wide shoe that is positioned ½ inch
forward of a standard trigger, allowing for faster
target acquisition and more precise ﬁnger
placement. The trigger shoes are interchangeable
– one screw does it all – and are available in three
shapes or styles: curved, straight, and straight
with a ﬁnger stop, as well as a radius or a ﬂat with
serrations. Five color options are listed, including
anodized black or red, or Cerakoted in ﬂat dark
earth, OD green, or pink.

BEYER BARRELS
beyerbarrels.com
These premium-quality aluminumalloy barrels are fully machined to
precise, match-grade tolerances from
exceptionally hard 7075 aluminum,
which is much stronger than mild steel
alloys. This provides all the beneﬁts of
a thick barrel and improves the heat
distribution for better accuracy. These
barrels range from 13 to 18 ounces
– less than half of traditional steel
barrels weighing up to 60 ounces.
Using a dedicated breech collar
does away with the .223 adapter and
the free bore the bullet travels before
it contacts the riﬂing. The buttonriﬂed Chromalloy steel liner features
precise 1-in-16- or 1-in-9-inch riﬂing
for excellent accuracy. The 1-in-9-inch
riﬂing works well for 60-grain subsonic
.22 LR ammo. A variety of ﬁnishes are
available, including stainless steel,
matte black, OD green and custom
colors. Ceramic ﬁnishes are baked on
and resist corrosion, scratches, and
surface wear.
Beyer Barrels allow for greater
versatility for long hikes, a full day at
the range, and increased endurance
for youth shooting and ease of use.

NEW ENGLAND CUSTOM
GUN SERVICE
newenglandcustomgun.com • Booth #8217
A growing demand for tactical mounts and
accessories was the driving force behind
the design and development of New England
Custom Gun’s ERATAC (eratac.de) line of
products. These German-made components
are of the highest quality, built for the operator
and serious sport shooter who demands the
absolute best from their equipment. ERATAC’s
T1 and T2 scope mounts feature the company’s
Universal Interface System, which
ch allows the
user to accessorize the mount as desired.
Picatinny rails, rings, folding back
Ultralight T3 mount are also available.
ck up sight systems, and the Ultra

KNIGHT’S
ARMAMENT
COMPANY
knightarmco.com
Booth #11333
Developed in 2007, the SR-15 IWS Lower
Receiver Assembly set the industry standard
for integrating ambidextrous controls in modern
sporting riﬂes. This complete lower receiver is ready
for any Mil-Spec upper, making it the ultimate upgrade
for any AR-15 enthusiast. Each SR-15 lower features Knight’s
Ambi-Magazine Release, bolt release, and safety selector. Standard features include Knight’s
KAC2 Stage drop-in trigger, SOPMOD Mil-Spec stock, one 30-round Mil-Spec magazine, two quickdetach sling mounts, and Mag-Block and Lock. Feature-rich, the SR-15 maintains its position as the
best-in-class for AR-15 style lower receivers.

DACTECH
targetize.com • Booth #6507
Have a desire to shoot better, improve your accuracy, and
increase your reaction time? The Targetize rail-mounted motion
sensor from DacTech provides you, the shooter, with vital
information as to why you shoot the way you do, and then how
to improve. The virtual coaching app, developed by ex-military
and special forces, gives instant feedback to help shooters
understand and visualize shot placement after each shot.
Practice anytime – anywhere – with your favorite ﬁrearm while
in one of three modes – live ﬁre, dry ﬁre, or CO2. App is available
for iOS and Android devices.
americanshootingjournal.com 123

gun gear
DIVERSIFIED INNOVATIVE
PRODUCTS, INC.
diproductsinc.com

DEFIANCE
MACHINE
CHINE
defiancemachine.com
ne.com
Deﬁance Machine has spent the
last nine years redeﬁning
g the custom
action market. Offering innovation,
vation,
precision, complete customization,
n, and
unmatched customer service, Deﬁance
stands
e stand
as the nation’s premier bolt action manufacturer.
And the new Tenacity stands strong as an
example of their excellence in craftsmanship. The
Tenacity is machined from the same steels as are
the company’s popular Rebel and Deviant actions,
and to the same high tolerances. The Tenacity
package includes a 20 MOA stainless picatinny
rail or Talley lightweight mounts, and recoil lug.
With the Tenacity, it’s not a matter of options; it’s
a matter of performance and perfection at an
exceptional price.

BARTLEIN BARRELS
bartleinbarrels.com
If precision is what
you’re looking for,
then Bartlein should
be making your
barrels. The Bartlein
Team is comprised
of experienced
reloaders, shooters,
and hunters; men
and women who know and practice
precision on a daily basis. These individuals
pride themselves on uniformity, and can, if
needed, carry a twist rate out to the fourth
decimal point! So if a 1-in-11 twist isn’t
working, how about 1-in-11.3642? It’s the
difference between good and perfection,
and the folks at Bartlein Barrels know how
to make the difference. Trust Bartlein for all
your barrel needs.

Fabricated right here in the US from aluminum
bar stock, the HOWA 1500 Mini-Action
rreplacement trigger guard/magazine well
from Diversiﬁed Products is a one-for-one
replacement for the plastic OEM magazine
well. The redesigned magazine catch spring
increases tension, meaning you’re less likely
to accidently drop your factory mag. And coldweather gloves aren’t a problem, thanks to the
larger trigger loop integrated into the guard. This
is a deﬁnite must-have swap out.

R&S PRECISION
1022racerifle.com
The At One adjustable riﬂe stock combines modularity and classic looks into one striking aftermarket
stock. The At One is a laminated wood stock, weighing in at less than 2 pounds, 13 ounces, with an
adjustable length of pull as well as an adjustable cheek piece, making it extremely versatile. Multiple
people can now quickly adjust and shoot the same riﬂe comfortably.
The At One is available in several colors, and is made for a multitude of different riﬂes. From hunting
to bench shooting, the Boyd’s At One riﬂe stock will perform exceedingly well and look good doing it!

PRECISION RIFLE
SOLUTIONS
precisionriflesolutions.com
Precision Riﬂe Solutions offers another component
to their already well-known Sniper Shooting
Platforms (SSP1 and SSP2) with their Freedom
Quick Release Mount (FQRM). The mount works
between any tripod manufacturer’s threaded
quick-release plate and a section of Mil-Spec
Picatinny rail. Made from a solid piece of billet
aluminum, the FQRM 1.0 accepts PRS’ small,
medium, or large tripods, while the 2.0 Model is
designed for the company’s XL model.

ALTAMONT
COMPANY
altamontco.com • Booth #2504

SPINTA PRECISION
spintaprecision.com
New from California-based Spinta Precision
comes a 4.5-inch cold hammer-forged stainless
9mm barrel inspired from a legend, the Thompson
submachine gun. Featuring a 1-in-16 twist, this
wildly popular addition to the extensive Spinta
Precision line is crafted of strong 416R stainless
steel, and is available for those who wish in a
7-inch version. Offering a long line of quality
products for the AR community, Spinta Precision
was started with the goal to provide AR-platform
enthusiasts with high-end components at
an affordable price. And shipping is usually
complete within 24 hours of the order. No more
waiting days for Mister Postman!

124

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

The Altamont Company
of Thomasboro, Illinois, is
proud to announce they have
recently become an ofﬁcial
licensed product manufacturer
with the NRA. Altamont prides
itself on offering an extremely
high-quality product at a
most affordable price. From
beautiful handgun grips to
ﬁnely engraved screws to
custom triggers, riﬂe stocks,
and metal engraving, the
craftsmen and machinists at
the Atlamont Company have
only your interest in mind.
And everything’s made right
here in America.

americanshootingjournal.com 125

gun gear
ARACHNIGRIP, LLC
arachnigrip.com

GENTRY CUSTOM, LLC
gentrycustom.com
The Gentry Quiet Muzzle Brake reduces felt
recoil up to an incredible 85 percent, while
directing noise and gases well away from the
shooter. Installation does not alter the ﬁrearm’s
velocity, accuracy, or overall performance.
A quality brake, like the Gentry Quiet Muzzle
Brake, helps reduce muzzle jump, allowing for
faster, more accurate follow-up shots and less
time spent in target reacquisition. Gentry Custom
has installed thousands of their brakes, and are
happy to do so. Or they can provide guidance,
if necessary, to a qualiﬁed gunsmith. Available
now are 5/8 x24 threads for those factory riﬂes
that support that thread pattern.

Add safety and control to your
semiautomatic pistol with the
Slide Spider from ArachniGRIP.
The Slide Spider is a patented
one-piece adhesive grip wrap for
semiautomatic pistol slides. The
Slide Spider allows the shooter
to increase control by way of an
improved and more secure hold.
Tactical advantages of the Slide
Spider are many, including a
better grip on the ﬁrearm under
adverse, e.g. wet or extreme conditions. A variety of designs to ﬁt most semiautomatic handguns are
available; custom imprinting is also an option. Tested by an active military unit, the Slide Spider
underwent
p
extreme environmental challenges and was deemed reliable, even after 20,000
000 ro
rounds.
ouunds.

KYNSHOT INCORPORATED

kynshot.com

By now, KynSHOT is known for their hydraulic recoil buffers
for the AR-15 and AR-10 platforms; however, the company also
manufactures and markets the industry’s ﬁnest hydraulic recoil
buffer for tactical shotguns. Tested and veriﬁed to reduce recoil
by 75 to 90 percent, the KynSHOT buffer, available now for
the Remington Model 870 and Mossberg Model 500/590, is an
exceptional upgrade designed to turn an ordinary shotgun into
a more efﬁcient, smoother operating tactical or home defense
piece. All KynSHOT recoil buffers carry the company’s one-millioncycle warranty.

“KynSHOT is the only hydraulic recoil buffer
I recommend.” - Kyle Lamb, Special Ops, SGM (R)

1-716-616-3630 Ext. 508
126

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

Tactical shotgun
Visit us at the 2018 NRA Exhibition, Booth 9953

kyntec.com

kynshot.com

americanshootingjournal.com 127

gun gear
GEMTECH
ECH
gemtech.com
New from Gemtech, the Shield is a quick-mount
k-mount 5.56 suppre
suppressor
built to handle the most extreme conditions and environments.
nmen
Engineered for use on short-barrelled full-auto riﬂes, the Shield
provides incredible sound reduction and ﬂash mitigation. And
at only 16 ounces, the Shield is one of the lightest suppressors
on the market. Made of robust titanium and Inconel, a nickel
chromium-based super alloy well-suited for use in extreme
environments, especially high heat and pressure, the Shield is
one tough customer.

THORDSEN CUSTOMS
thordsencustoms.com
Thordsen Customs’ line of riﬂe stocks has long been recognized as the best option for
featureless conversions in restrictive states such as California and New York. Until now,
no featureless stock has existed for the popular AK-47 platform. Well, the times have
changed, and Thordsen is happy to announce the release of their new AK Adapter for
their now-famous FRS-15 Gen III Riﬂe Stock. Adapters are now available in several
variations designed to ﬁt any number of AK receivers, including Kalashnikov and
Yugoslavian/Serbian variants. Stock kits come in a choice of black, ﬂat dark earth, or OD
green. Bring that AK out of the safe and back into service with Thordsen Customs.

WMD GUNS
wmdguns.com

JL BILLET
jlbillet.com
Developed for use with all M-Lok-compatible hand guards and
fore-ends, the JL Billet SPIK-R is an innovative barricade support
and hand-stop made with the 3-gun shooter in mind. Machined
from 6061-T6 aluminum and hard black anodized, the SPIK-R
allows shooters a quick and sure transition from barricades to
on-the-run gunning. Featuring a carbide-tipped contact point for
enhanced bite on hard surfaces, the SPIK-R offers rapid traverse
and elevation adjustments, while also acting as a hand-stop,
ensuring a solid grip when working targets downrange.

WMD Guns made history in the
ﬁrearms ﬁeld with their Beast line of
riﬂes, the world’s ﬁrst NiB-X coated
ARs. NiB-X is a proprietary nickel-boron
coating process that permanently provides
es the
optimal combination of hardness, corrosion
ion
ns
resistance, and lubricity. Now, WMD Guns
offers shooters the chance to get NiB-X on almost any riﬂe,
handgun, or shotgun. With WMD’s Individual
dual Coating Services program
program,
you can affordably upgrade single components or entire ﬁrearms with NiB-X,
Nitromet (Melonite), DLC, or EN Boron Nitride. Ceramics are also available as decorative
topcoats. Protect your investment with WMD Guns.

NEW!

Howa 1500 MiniAction Aluminum,
replacement trigger guard.
ORDER NOW!

www.diproductsinc.com
128

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

americanshootingjournal.com 129

gun gear
LYMAN PRODUCTS
lymanproducts.com • Booth #7844

RIO GRANDE CUSTOM GRIPS
riograndecustomgrips.com
Rio Grande Custom Grips is proud to
announce a new line of full-color imaged
grips designed to fit the popular Sig Sauer
P238. These new grips incorporated the
RioGrip texture, a series of recessed ovals
that provide a grip with more “bite” than do
smooth contour grips, but without the sharp
edges, e.g. checkering, that can catch on
clothing. Rio Grande Custom Grips sells grips
for the legendary 1911 full-size pistols and
clones, Taurus PT1911, Beretta 92, 96, and M9
pistols, Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, and
Single-Six revolvers, and the popular 22/45
Mark III.

130

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

Pachmayr, a division of Lyman Products, is proud
d to introdu
introduce their new GuardianGrip, a revolutionary
and innovative design for popular concealed carry revolvers. What makes GuardianGrip so unique is its
patented ﬁnger extension. Simply press a button, and the spring-loaded ﬁnger extension drops out of the
grip, effectively converting a two-ﬁnger compact grip into a controllable three-ﬁnger grip. Constructed
of high-strength polymer impervious to weather, moisture, and chemicals, the GuardianGrip is contoured
for easy use with speed loaders, and features an open backstrap for greater concealability. Enjoy the
concealment of a compact grip, with the control of a full-size. Enjoy the GuardianGrip.

NOWLIN ARMS
nowlinarms.com
Proven reputation. That’s the key when it comes
to the work done by Nowlin Arms of Oklahoma.
Proof? How about eight world championships,
and 22 national titles, all won by competitors
using Nowlin. And today, you can elevate your
own 1911 to this level of performance with Nowlin’s ECM Match Grade barrels. Made from 416 riﬂequality bar stock, with ultrasmooth ECM riﬂing, 40 RC hardness, and an 8 RMS bore ﬁnish, Nowlin
1911 barrels deliver maximum accuracy. Nowlin’s unique precut barrel locking lug design ensures
precise engagement, while centering the ﬁring pin on the primer. Half-inch groups at 25 yards on a
machine? That’s the Nowlin difference.

americanshootingjournal.com 131

gun gear
CROSS ARMORY
crossarmory.com
The new Cross Armory Double Stack is an
all-state legal magazine attachment that
allows you to effectively carry two magazines
in one. This innovative design allows for
quick, easy installation and removal without
causing any harm to the magazine itself.
When reloading, the Double Stack has the
advantage of faster reload times, even for
the most inexperienced shooters. Simply
extract the magazine, ﬂip your wrist, and
re-insert. Purposefully designed, the Double
Stack angles the bottom magazine forward,
providing balance to top-heavy pistols and
allowing for improved accuracy.

YHM
yhm.net • Booth #10038
The Resonator, the latest exciting
addition to the YHM line of products, is
a .30-caliber suppressor designed to provide
the shooter with an ultraquiet and lightweight, yet
affordable alternative to heavier and more expensive units.
Capable of serving on multiple calibers and host ﬁrearms, the
Resonator uses a tubeless design crafted of heat-treated 17-4 stainless
steel, along with a 718 Inconel blast bafﬂe, to create a suppressor rated for full auto
and capable of handling all of the challenging conditions today’s shooters might
encounter. The new Resonator can accommodate calibers ranging from .17 HMR
through the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum.

132

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

TACCOM
taccom3g.com
The TACCOM competition package for the new Ruger PC
Carbine offers ﬁve key upgrades for the platform, including a
magazine funnel, extended charging handle, solid buttplate,
ultralight muzzle brake, and a user-conﬁgurable magazine
release for “trigger ﬁnger” magazine detachment. These ﬁve
improvements work in synchronicity, making the PC Carbine
much more than merely competitive. Simply add the carbine,
optics, and a ﬁstful of magazines (SR9 or Glock) to the new
TACCOM competition package, and you’re ready to go hot!

americanshootingjournal.com 133

gun gear
KICK-EEZ PRODUCTS
kickeezproducts.com

TORQUE
PRECISION
torqueprecision.com
The FC (Fully Compliant) Hook from Torque Precision
is a ﬁxed magazine compliance device made for use
in restrictive states where assault weapon (AW)
registration is required based on newly enacted
legislation that reclassiﬁes semiautomatic riﬂes with
detachable magazines as AWs. Installation takes less
than one minute, and allows owners to convert their
Mil-Spec AR-15/10 riﬂes into ﬁxed magazine riﬂes that
no longer require AW registration. The FC Hook is not
a work-around speed device, but rather a compliance
device that requires a fully open action and a speciﬁc
tool to replace any magazine in need of repair.

To tame the bite of today’s high-powered riﬂes, shotguns, and muzzleloaders, it’s best to choose KickEEZ Magnum Grind-to-Fit recoil pads. Made of solid sorbothane, Kick-EEZ pads are some of the most
comfortable and easily modiﬁed and customized recoil pads available today. Length of pull (LOP) can
also be adjusted quickly, simply by adding one of the 1 3/8-inch pads. Kick-EEZ is a family-owned company
headquartered in Woodland, Washington, in the heart of some of the ﬁnest deer and elk hunting in the U.S.
The Latimer Family knows hunting, shooting, and ﬁrearms; most signiﬁcantly, they know how to reduce
recoil to manageable and comfortable levels. Try Kick-EEZ today. Your shoulder will thank you.

MATCH GRADE MACHINE
matchgrademachine.com
Headquartered in Hurricane, Utah, the highly
trained machinists at Match Grade Machine
produce some of the ﬁnest custom gun barrels
available to shooting enthusiasts today.
Specializing in Thompson/Center Contender, T/C Encore, Savage, and Remage barrels, these skilled craftsmen
and women take great pride in their workmanship and their industry-wide reputation for excellence. With
unprecedented customization options and proven precision, both at the range and in the ﬁeld, Match Grade
Machine barrels are a must-have for anyone looking to wring the most out of the Thompson/Center riﬂe.

LITTLE CROW GUNWORKS
littlecrowgunworks.com
Little Crow Gunworks of Spicer, Minnesota, began business as a builder of ﬁne custom
riﬂes. Today, however, the folks in the Upper Midwest carry a ﬁne line of unique reloading
and AR-building tools, ﬁrearm components, and optics, to include the Ruger American
Lock Ring Wrench. The LRW is an all-steel, professional-grade tool for loosening or
tightening the barrel lock ring on Ruger’s popular American Riﬂe. Removing the Ruger’s
barrel is easy now, thanks to this well-built specialty tool. See the folks at Little Crow
Gunworks for all your reloading and ﬁrearms needs.

gun gear
TRACTIONGRIPS
tractiongrips.com
Headquartered in Georgia, Tractiongrips
has been specializing in precision-cut,
self-adhesive grip overlays for ﬁrearms
since 1999. Designed and manufactured
right here in the USA, Tractiongrips offers
an economical removable alternative to
stippling, and is perfect for concealed carry
or duty use. Their standard grips are made
of a textured rubber material; however, many
different types of materials are available,
including a custom printed image
mage option. Tes
Tested and proven by thousands coast to coast,
Tractiongrips
ctiongrips can help you get a grip.

LUTH-AR
L
luth-ar.com • Booth #3420
lut
Lu
Luth-AR,
home of the Modular Buttstock Assembly
(M
(MBA), has just announced their latest addition,
the Palm Handguard. This free-ﬂoating tube design
feat
features a triangular proﬁle that conforms to the
palm of your hand, giving you a comfortable yet
secu
secure grip on your AR. The vented version of
the P
Palm Handguard provides a Picatinny top rail
and K
KeyMod or M-LOK slots along both upper
sides
sides, as well as a row of slots on the bottom to
accommodate accessories such as a bipod. Made
accom
of toug
tough 6061-T6 hard anodized aluminum, the LuthAR Pal
Palm Handguard adds a distinctive good look to
an alr
already outstanding weapons system.

ELFTMANN TACTICAL
elftmanntactical.com
The folks at Elftmann Tactical are excited to introduce
two new products for the 2018 shooting season. The ELF
Ultralight Aluminum Stock is the lightest metal adjustable
stock available. Weighing only 5.2 ounces, the Ultralight
offers incredible ease of adjustment over the full length of
the buffer tube, as well as silent operation – no more noisy
clicking into detent holes! The ELF AR-9 Match Drop-In
Trigger was designed to perform. Speciﬁcally developed for
9mm and .45 PCC platforms, the ELF AR-9 uses aerospacegrade sealed bearings for an incredibly fast and smooth
trigger pull. Installation can be done in minutes using your
AR’s original hammer and trigger pins; adjustments can be
made without removing the trigger from the lower receiver.
Light. Quick. Easy. Effective. Elftmann.

Ultralight rimﬁre barrels
For the Ruger 1022 and
1022 takedown barrels, as well as
the AR15 dedicated uppers.

To buy direct call Clint
at 360 640 1497
Also available at Brownells or
other various dealers.

189179 HWY 101 Forks, WA 98331
136

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

TACCOM

9mm PC CARBINE ACCESSORIES

WE ALSO CARRY A FULL LINE
OF ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR
RUGER PC CARBINE.
www.TACCOM3G.com 320.221.6179
sales@TACCOM3G.com
americanshootingjournal.com 137

gun gear

HANDGUNGRIPS.COM
handgungrips.com • Booth #12056

HandgunGrips.com is a family-owned business located in south-central
Illinois. With over 45 years of shooting industry experience in design,
manufacturing, distribution and retail sales, HandgunGrips.com has a wellrounded team waiting to ﬁll your needs. Their commitment is to offer unique
products at affordable prices. Whether you’re looking for magazines, riﬂes
or shotgun stocks, barrels, hearing and eye protection, or other shooting
accessories, the professionals at Handgungrips.com can help you ﬁnd
exactly what you’re looking for. Visit their website today.

UNIQUE-ARS

unique-ars.com • Booth #2511
Now available from Unique-ARs, the versatile Unique-Grip customizes the
AR platform in a way no other grip does. This innovative accessory conforms
perfectly to each shooter’s hand, regardless of size, shape, strength, or right/left
dominance, resulting in reduced fatigue and improved performance, both on the
range and in the ﬁeld. Constructed of space-age polymers and weighing only 4.2
ounces, the Unique-Grip installs easily on all mil-spec AR platform riﬂes. Simply
grip it, lock it, and the range is hot.

WHITE OAK ARMAMENT
whiteoakarms.com

White Oak Armament is now crafting barrels chambered for the hot new .224
Valkyrie. This new cartridge from Federal is the ﬁrst to be designed around the
Sierra .224 90-grain HPBT Match King bullet. With an advertised velocity of 2,700 fps,
the Valkryie provide the long-range performance usually reserved for much larger
calibers. At White Oak, they have been involved with high performance long-range
wildcat cartridges for the AR-15 platform for over 15 years. Their professionals have
the experience to help you get the most out of your new Valkyrie build.

138

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

americanshootingjournal.com 139

gun gear
PICKETT’S MILL ARMORY
pmarmory.com

ULTIMAK
ultimak.com

Pickett’s Mill Armory’s 7½-inch AR-15 Pistol/Short-barrel Riﬂe upper is exactlyy
what you need to complete your next build. Chambered in 5.56 and .223
compatible, the 7½-inch compact barrel is easily concealable in a backpack
or bag, so as not to draw unwanted attention. Onsite and ready, the KAK ﬂash
can direct muzzle ﬂash and concussion away, without affecting velocity in
any way. Each upper includes a 7½-inch 5.56 NATO barrel, 9-inch M-LOK or
Keymod Free Floating Rail, and KAK Flash Can.

Own an AK? Then you need UltiMAK’s new M17 forward optic mount. Available
for C39, C39V2, and RAS-47 AK pistols, the M17 replaces the piston tube and upper
handguard assembly with a one-piece aluminum mount that clamps to the barrel. This
lightweight, low-proﬁle AK mount is based on the successful M1-B and M2-B UltiMAK
AK mounts adapted to the AK pistols by Century Arms. Constructed of hard anodized
6061-T6 aluminum, the M17 allows the use of both tubular optics, e.g. Aimpoint, as well
as the original iron sights. Get the new M17 – it’s as tough as the pistol it’s mounted on.

GRIPMAKER
gripmaker.com
Available as either one- or two-piece conﬁgurations,
all grips made by The Gripmaker are constructed of
extremely durable urethane, a material that’s not only
tough, but ages and colors much in the way ivory
does. Each one-piece set includes a spacer; Rugers
and other makes/models with an escutcheon screw
will require the two-piece set. Have an odd-shaped
grip frame? Send a tracing, and The Gripmaker
will let you know if they have something to ﬁt your
particular need. Each set includes detailed ﬁtting
instructions, as well as tips on how to “age” your
grips prior to use.

The Sicario is the new and improved version of
TBA Suppressors’ QAS line of integral silencers for
2018. This two-piece, patent-pending quick-detach
integral is not only quieter than its predecessor but
disassembles for complete cleaning in under 30
seconds. No more menagerie of parts to manage!
Simply use the factory magazine to disassemble
the entire suppressor. The Sicario’s monocore is
constructed of 2024 T-351 aluminum and is Type III
for long life. And alignment is easy, thanks to the
unit’s Fast Attach 28 thread-mount system. Keep the
situation
tuation silent with the new Sicario.

This one is the perfect
erfect
ct
size for your pock
pockket or Possibless bag
bag.
g.

The Timber Creek AMBI Safety Selector is an
easy-to-install drop-in replacement for the OEM
safety selector on any Mil-Spec lower receiver.
This ambi-safety comes with one long lever
and one short, preventing any contact between
the safety and your trigger ﬁnger. The modular
aircraft aluminum levers, combined with the
ability to choose either a 45- or 90-degree short
throw, allows you to set the system speciﬁc to
your shooting style. The AMBI Safety Selector is
CNC machined in the USA, and is available in nine
color options.

americanshootingjournal.com 141

UNIQUE-ARS

unique-ars.com • Booth #2511
The Rook Muzzle Brake from Unique-ARs works to
produce 60 percent less recoil when compared to a
traditional A2 birdcage. The innovative asymmetrical
side ports use the post-ignition escaping gases to
offset recoil, while the upper ports help reduce muzzle
jump. No ports on the bottom mean no dust blowback when ﬁring from the prone position. The Rook is
available in both ½-by-28 and 5/8-by-24 formats, and
both are made of strong 4140 black oxide ﬁnish steel.

ARMASPEC
armaspec.com

The B2 Skeletonized
Extended Mag Release
(SEMR) from Armaspec
works to extend the
length of the OEM
release button, resulting
in quicker mag dumps
without the need to change the grip position.
Compatible with 5.56/.223 and 7.62/.308 receivers,
the SEMR installs in minutes using the included
Allen style screws and wrench. Armaspec is a
U.S.-based manufacturer of ﬁrearm accessories,
primarily for the AR platform. The company prides
itself on providing innovative products that offer a
tactical advantage and – as evidenced by the $22
price tag on the SEMR – at an excellent price.

AXC TACTICAL
axctactical.com
The Extended
Mag Release from
AXC Tactical is
another in a long
list of innovations
from this Arizona-based company that prides itself
on being a leader in the AR parts and accessories
market. Designed to improve stability and function,
thanks in large part to an oversized paddle and new
ergonomic shape, the AXC Extended Mag Release
means no more fumbling around trying to drop that
spent magazine. Installation is drop-in easy. Get back
in the ﬁght fast, with the Extended Mag Release from
AXC Tactical.

HUBER CONCEPTS
huberconcepts.com
Need a custom
trigger for your
Remington 700?
Something built
speciﬁcally for the
way you shoot? The
professionals at
Huber Trigger can
do it. Built-to-order
Huber Triggers are
available in single-stage and two-stage designs.
Each allow for multiple customization options
including ﬁnish, safety, OEM bolt stop release, and
pull weight, now starting at 8 ounces for singlestage builds. Better shot timing is guaranteed with
Huber Triggers.

The Marksman Performance ChoiceTM Trigger
is designed with a 3/8” wide removable trigger
shoe that is ½” forward for faster acquisition.
The shoes are available in: curved, straight or
straight with ﬁnger stop and 5 different color
options. The trigger shoe can also be rotated
for a custom ﬁt for your ﬁnger position.

The Velocity Triggers

MPC Trigger

TM

144

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

Visit us at: www.VelocityTriggers.com

S T E A LT H ™ R E C O I L S P R I N G

$79.00

The Stealth Recoil Spring™ SRS™ is a self-contained multi-stage
drop-in replacement for your standard buffer and spring.
The Stealth Recoil Spring™ is designed to reduce felt recoil as well as keep the buffer spring from rubbing
against the inner wall of the buffer tube. The buffer mass is designed to stay under constant tension against
the bolt carrier and the O-ring on the head of the buffer mass prevents metal on metal contact. Pat. Pend.

The Stealth Recoil Spring comes in 6 variations.
SRS-Carbine at about 3.3oz equivalent, SRS-H at around 3.8oz equivalent, SRS-H2 at around 4.7oz equivalent,
SRS-9 at around 5.6oz equivalent, SRS-H3 at around 5.6oz equivalent, and SRS-308 5.7oz.

www.armaspec.com

americanshootingjournal.com 145

GRIPS

www.tractiongrips.com

Tractiongrips are precision cut, self-adhesive,
textured rubber grip overlays, designed and
manufactured in the USA.

GRIPMAKER
Available for all guns listed
on their website's Availability
page, as well as the 1911 Colt,
Natural Stag has been their
most popular and versatile
design for the past 20 years.
www.gripmaker.com

DIP PUTS THE PEDAL TO THE METAL
Company offers custom rimﬁre parts for Savage, CZ, Marlin and more.

PHOTO BY DIP INC.

ot content with the
cheap plastic parts that
many companies were
producing for rimfire
firearms, Bob Bland decided to take
matters into his own hands. His
company, DIP Inc. (aka Diversified
Innovative Products), makes
drop-in metal rimfire parts and
accessories that are both affordable
and high quality. Here, Bland tells
American Shooting Journal how it
all came together.

N

American Shooting Journal Tell us how
you decided to get into the firearms
industry.
Bob Bland For as long as I can
remember, I’ve always had an
interest in firearms. Be it hunting
with my dad when I was growing up
or just target shooting with friends.
A family member started off in
the firearms business when I was
working construction back in the
’90s. We collaborated on a number
of different parts for his business.
In early 2000, I did some
advising to someone that was just
starting out in business making
Ruger 10/22 parts. About the
same time, I was making a few
replacement parts as a hobby for
other rimfire firearms. Shortly
thereafter, I became his parttime web administrator and we
started sharing a website. In 2008,
when the economy went south,
I started increasing the number
of parts, and by 2010 I closed my
construction business and started
DIP, Inc.

ASJ DIP specializes in custom rimﬁre
parts and accessories. What are some
of your most popular products?
BB Because of the economy in 2008, a
lot of ﬁrearms companies were making
more and more parts from molded
plastic that easily broke. Working
with a number of local machine
shops, we are able to make drop-in
metal replacement parts affordable
(and) that are a superior upgrade for
Savage, CZ, Marlin, Anschutz and a
host of others. We even make small
batches of specialized parts if we have
enough requests.
ASJ What do shooters like best about
your products?
BB I think that most of our customers
like that our products are produced

here in the U.S. because we refuse
to outsource anything to other
countries, even though I might
be able to produce them cheaper.
Oftentimes, as goes the price so does
the quality.
ASJ Do you have any new products that
you’d like to tell our readers about?
BB We are constantly making new
parts and recently purchased two
CNC machines so we can produce
some prototypes in-house. This will
help increase our new product line
and hopefully make the R&D much
smoother and more efficient. 
Editor’s note: Visit diproductsinc
.com for more information on the
products DIP Inc. offers.
americanshootingjournal.com 149

150

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

Adventure
RAAHAUGE’S HUNTING CLUB
lincraahauges.com

ADVENTURE HUNTS
adventurehunts.com

In Swahili, the word safari is translated into English as being a journey or expedition.
Now, the word safari means your next great adventure! Adventure Hunts is known
and recognized worldwide for offering unique hunting experiences. Specializing in
African destinations, the team at Adventure Hunts caters to the ﬁrst-time, as well
as the seasoned veteran and collector. Looking for big Cape buffalo, leopard, or any
of the other Big Five? Let Adventure Hunts take you away to South Africa, Namiba,
Mozambique, Benin, Argentina, Spain, Russia, or Alaska.

Now in its 16th year of providing excellent hunting and shooting
opportunities for outdoors enthusiasts from coast to coast, Raahauge’s
Hunting Club is a full-service, family-owned and -operated day-hunt club
headquartered in southern California. This incredible facility features a
formal 17-station sporting clays course, along with excellent ringneck
pheasant and chukar hunting on over 2,400 acres of beautifully maintained,
all-natural upland habitat. Bird hunting is available for day-hunters, bird
card holders, and large groups, making Raahauge’s the perfect choice for
that outdoor corporate retreat. Open daily, and open to the public.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN
ELK RANCH
rockymountainelkranch.com

Located in southeast Idaho not far from
one of the most picturesque places on the
planet – Jackson Hole, Wyoming – Rocky
Mountain Elk Ranch provides the setting for
the ultimate outdoor experience. Whether
you hunt, ﬁsh, hike, golf, whitewater raft,
or practice photography, let The Lodge at
Rocky Mountain Elk Ranch serve as your
headquarters for that trip of a lifetime. At
center stage is the ranch’s tremendous elk
herd. Each year, bulls measuring over 400
inches are harvested by guests staying
at The Lodge. Hunts are three days, fully
guided, and 100 percent guaranteed,
with no license, draw, application or tags
required. And nonhunting guests stay free
of charge.

WESTERN RANGE CAMPS
wrcamps.com
Range camps aren’t anything new; in fact, they’ve been around for almost
150 years now. These comfortable but spartan camps are perhaps best
known for housing sheepherders high in the mountains or out on the
plains. At Western Range Camps, we build camps for recreationists as
well. With all the comforts of an RV, these rugged outﬁts feature a woodburning stove, high insulation factor, and durable all-weather frame.
And with higher ground clearance, Western Range Camps will keep you
comfortable, no matter what the weather or logistical situation.

SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
safariclubfoundation.org

Educators, come renew your energy and enthusiasm for teaching
with this eight-day professional development workshop held at the
American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS) in Jackson, Wyoming.
The workshop offers hands-on lessons centered around the North
American Model of Wildlife Conservation, as well as engaging, takehome lessons on conservation education that have been integrated
into K-12 math, science, language arts, social studies, and physical
education. While at AWLS, educators learn to effectively use the
outdoors as a classroom while participating in exciting activities,
including an introduction to the shooting sports.
americanshootingjournal.com 151

They’re made for .36-,
.44-caliber percussion
pistols, and shipping box art
features historical artwork.
STORY & PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT

uffalo Arms Company
has started offering
combustible black powder
paper cartridges for .36and .44-caliber percussion revolvers.
These cartridges are hand-rolled and
tapered so they can be inserted into
a revolver’s chambers very easily,
loading into the front of the cylinder.
And, adding to the “old timey feel” of
these cartridges, they are packaged in
boxes containing just six cartridges
with “period” labels, which are very
reminiscent of Civil War times.
When I heard about these paper
cartridges for revolvers, I had to give
them a try. I received two boxes just
a short while later, both for my .36
Colt Navy Model. The small boxes
with the early style labels were very
fascinating (see photos). To properly
describe the paper cartridges, they
are made with a nitrated paper, which
burns with almost no ash. In fact, the
paper is almost as ﬂammable as the
powder, so be careful while handling.
For the .36-caliber cartridges, they are
loaded with 14 grains of GOEX FFFg
powder and topped with a Hornady
.375-inch-diameter ball. The paper
seams are sealed with sodium silicate,
which Buffalo Arms refers to as “water
glass,” and the ball is held to the paper
cartridge with the same solution.
Fourteen grains of powder is

B

Buffalo Arms’ paper
cartridges are boxed
in “period correct”
boxes of six rounds.

somewhat of a light load for the .36
Navy, but these paper cartridges are
also recommended for the shortercylindered pocket models such as the
Colt 1862 Police revolver. A common
loading for the Colt Navy Model is 20
to 22 grains of powder beneath the
.375-inch-diameter round ball. But,
believe me, there is nothing wrong
with shooting a Navy using these
“lighter loads.” Buffalo Arms also
makes these paper cartridges for
.44-caliber revolvers and those are
loaded with 28 grains of GOEX FFFg
powder under a .454-inch-diameter
Hornady ball. Those .44 loads would
have a bit more power.
TO “TEST FIRE” some of these
combustible cartridges, I used my
third-generation Colt Navy. At the
range, the nipples were cleared by
snapping caps, and that was done twice
because some of the gun’s nipples
just didn’t “sound” like they were
clear. After the second batch of six
caps, the gun was ready for loading.

And loading was very simple – just
insert the cartridge and ram the ball
down as deeply as it will go. There is
no need to tear the cartridge, as you
would if loading a musket with a paper
cartridge, because the nitrated paper
burns almost as readily as the powder.
Besides that, I’m guessing that the
paper cartridge ruptures when the load
is pushed to the back of the chamber
with the rammer.
After all six of the cartridges were
loaded in the gun’s cylinder, the
mouths of the chambers were sealed
with Bumblin’ Bear Grease from
October Country. The grease does act
as a lube for the ball while going down
the barrel, but its primary purpose
for being applied to the front of the
chambers is to prevent chain ﬁres; that
is, having more than one chamber ﬁre
when the revolver is shot.
MY TARGET WAS “man-sized” and posted
at about 50 feet. I held on the bottom
part of the 10-ring and squeezed the
trigger. That ﬁrst shot was actually
americanshootingjournal.com 153

BLACK POWDER
The cartridges
plus caps and
grease are all
that’s needed for
loading.

At 50 feet, firing offhand
using a two-hand hold, five
shots all scored 9s or 10s.

my best; it scored a 10 at 3 o’clock.
Four more shots followed, getting two
more 10s and two 9s, making a rather
good group. The shooting was done
offhand with a two-hand hold. Very
pleasant shooting!
That left me with one shot
remaining in the Navy’s cylinder and
another shooter at the range that day
had a chronograph all set up and in
use. I asked the owner if I could ﬁre

one test shot over his machine and he
replied that I could, adding, “Just don’t
hit it.” That last shot was a good one,
completely missing the chronograph,
and registering 691 feet per second.
Higher velocities, of course, would be
achieved with heavier powder charges,
closer to 1,000 fps with a fully loaded
Navy. That concluded my shooting
with the paper cartridges so far,
because the second box was saved for

later use.
And there will be some later use, for
sure. I can see myself shooting my Colt
Navy percussion revolver quite a bit
with these loads. If it turns out that I do
a lot of shooting with paper cartridges
like these, I’ll learn how to make them
myself. And if that happens, another
story will follow.
Several years ago, the Colt Model
1851 was a very favored revolver

Outfitters to the Old West!
Black Powder / Cowboy Ammo
Western Style Firearmss
Real Black Powder
Old West Clothing

www.BuffaloArms.com
154

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

208-263-6953

americanshootingjournal.com 155

Author Mike Nesbitt has favored the Colt 1851
Navy revolver for many years.

Nesbitt’s .36, a third-generation Colt.

Rust Protection for
Firearms, Weapons,
and Ammo
Use Zerust20 for
a 20% discount
when ordering
online

If you’re looking for the ultimate solution to
protect metal from harmful rust, look for Zerust.
Includes a
VCI Weapon
Protection
9ƃǼӗěʍƹǉծ
9ƃɨɨǉȢČɽɨȈɥӗ
latex gloves
& a zip tie

for me. I had one of the ﬁrst of the
second-generation Colts and I shot
that sixgun quite a bit. I even hunted
with it just a little, trying the .36 out
for small game. I shot that gun just
enough that my trigger ﬁnger wore
the nickel plating off of the upper part
inside the trigger guard. Then I sold
my old .36 Navy after I mistakenly
thought I was no longer interested in
shooting with a percussion revolver.
Of course, I was wrong. The gun
shown with this story is a thirdgeneration Colt purchased used but
fairly recently. Now, after trying these
combustible paper cartridges, I can
see myself doing a lot more shooting
with this Navy Model.
Buffalo Arms offers the combustible
paper cartridges only for revolvers and
they are priced at $14.99 per box of
six. That works out to almost $2.50 per
shot but if you buy ﬁve boxes at a time,
the price drops to $13.44 apiece. Once
you’re hooked on shooting the paper
cartridges, the company also offers the
nitrated paper so shooters can “roll
their own.” To order, go to buffaloarms
.com or call (208) 263-6953. 

americanshootingjournal.com 157

158

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

Black Powder
SCHUETZEN

schuetzenpowder.com • Booth #7613

OCTOBER COUNTRY
MUZZLELOADING
octobercountry.com

Back in 1977 when the company was in its infancy,
October Country Muzzleloading was a hunting
bag. One product. Today, more than four decades
later, the northern Idaho-based outﬁt offers a
complete and thorough line of muzzleloaders and
muzzleloading accessories, including ramrods,
Pushing Daisies patches, Blue Thunder solvent,
Bumblin’ Bear Grease, leather shooting bags,
powder horns, and hand-forged shooting tools.
Their inventory also features custom English
sporting riﬂes, and products speciﬁcally designed
and manufactured for cowboy action and black
powder cartridge shooters.

IOSSO PRODUCTS

Schuetzen is, quite simply, the black powder of
choice at all national and international shooting
competitions. Available in a wide array of
granulations, Schuetzen’s Swiss Black Powder
has long been considered the very best by both
competitive shooters, as well as ﬁeld hunters.
Made from hand-crafted buckthorn alder
charcoal, Swiss Black is available for everything
from cannons and muskets to ﬁne-grain priming
powder needs. The workhorse of black powder
propellants, Schuetzen Black Powder is produced
in-house using a ﬁne blend of charcoals to create
an exemplary ﬁnal result.

TRL LLC
gunbroker.com • Booth #7410
Muzzleloader enthusiasts are constantly
looking for the perfect patch lube and bore
conditioner, and they may have just discovered
it in this fantastic new must-have from TRL
LLC. Round-ball shooters are going to love the
way this new lube/conditioner works to keep
powder residue and fouling soft and easily
removed between shots. But it’s not just for
muzzleloaders, as it has additional applications
as a leather conditioner, metal protectant,
universal lubricant, and much more.

www.iosso.com

888-747-4332

Made in USA

americanshootingjournal.com 159

GUN CLEANING

GUN CLEANING

162

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

COMPANY SP
SPOTLIGHT
POTLIG

TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE

zMAX products extend the life of ﬁrearms ‘from the inside out.’
PHOTO BY ZMAX

MAX Micro-lubricant
has been around for
80 years, and was ﬁrst
used in the automotive
industry to clean, penetrate and protect
engines. The formula has since been
applied to everything from aircraft and
locomotives to marine engines and
snowmobiles, and of course, to ﬁrearms.
“BoltLube and Bore Cleaner and
Conditioner are revolutionary products
unlike anything else on the market
currently,” explained George Elliott,
vice president of sales and marketing

z

at zMAX. “Basically, what sets our
product apart from anything else on
the market is the science behind the
product. zMAX molecules are smaller
on a molecular level. It allows the
product to penetrate the metal in ways
other petroleum-based products can’t.
“Due to the smaller molecule size,
zMAX penetrates and soaks into the
metal, allowing the product to protect
and preserve from the inside out.”
As zMAX Micro-lubricant soaks
into metal, it reduces carbon build-up,
penetrates and conditions metal parts, and
it does not gum up ﬁrearm mechanisms.
The result is improved performance

S
R’ R
E
L LE
UMMB
THTU

Bolt Lube and
Bore Cleaner and
Conditioner from
zMAX.

and an extended life of the ﬁrearm.
“I use zMAX Micro-lubricant
products because I know they work,”
said 3 Gun shooter Drew Hedrick. “As a
competitive shooter, I have to know my
ﬁrearms are going to function. When
competing with the talented shooters
I have the opportunity to shoot with,
I can’t leave anything to chance.
zMAX helps improve reliability of my
ﬁrearms. These products also make my
ﬁrearms easier to clean, leaving more
time to go compete and practice.” 
Editor’s note: For more information,
visit zmax.com.

The body of the die is built like a micrometer with ½
thousands, .0005 increments. The seater stem is machined per customers bullet ojive. Notice how the bullet
is contained in the seater stem. There is about 1/4" of
ojive contact, making it possible to hold overall length to
½ thousands, .0005. Also helping to keep bullet in line
with case.

Super Precision Click Head Priming Tool
Su
S
Introducing the NEWEST Super Precision Click Head Priming Tool from
21st
2 Century Shooting. This Priming Tool moves the primer 1 ¼ thou per
click (.00125) for very precise amount of crush. All stainless steel
components with billet aluminum handle. CNC machined in house at
21st Century Shooting.

Power Neck Turning Lathe

This is our second in the series of our 21st Century Shooting
Case Preparation. A modular system, most all parts
are interchangeable. The power head glides on stainless
steel guide rails. Power is supplied via button that is build
QV\W\PMNMMLPIVLTMNWZ^MZaXZMKQ[MNMMLZI\M<PMÆWI\QVO
design of our neck turner and case driver allows the
case mouth (bore) to run on the arbor absolutely concentric.
Therefore allowing O.D. to be turned concentric with I.D.

Enter FBOOK10 and
receive 10% off order
Made in
the USA

260-273-9909
www.21stcenturyshooting.com
164

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

americanshootingjournal.com 165

166

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

reloading
ENTERPRISE SERVICES

REDDING RELOADING

Let’s talk slip-resistant pads for a moment, shall we? Sometimes, a small
accessory – just a little tweak – can make a major improvement to an existing
product. Anneal-Rite cartridge case annealing units from Enterprise Services
are that product, and these handy sponge rubber pads make the process
of annealing all the more easy, not to mention trouble-free. Simply clean
the bottom of the Anneal-Rite unit and bottle holder, apply the pads, and
press ﬁrm. No more bottles slipping across the table while you’re trying to
concentrate on the job at hand.

Redding Reloading of Cortland, New York, has been producing excellent
reloading equipment right here in America since 1946. Now, they’re proud
to announce the addition of six new premium handgun dies for 9mm, .40
S&W/10mm, .45 ACP, .38 Special/.357 Magnum, .44 Special/.44 Magnum, and .45
Colt. These three-die sets include a titanium-carbide sizing die, newly designed
expander containing the unique Redding expander plug coated with titanium
nitride, and a setting die with a bullet seating micrometer for unequaled depth
control and precision. Go with the black and gold box. Go Redding.

cartridgeanneal.com

redding-reloading.com • Booth #8243

STARLINE BRASS
starlinebrass.com • Booth #7457
Starline Brass continues to expand their ever-growing line of high-quality
riﬂe brass, with the addition of the incredibly popular 6.5 Grendel. The
6.5 Grendel was designed for use in the AR-15 platform to offer ballistics
similar to the venerable .308 Winchester, but with substantially less
felt recoil. The 6.5 Grendel’s short case length allows the use of longer,
heavier match bullets, making it an excellent long-range shooting option.
With proper bullet selection, the Grendel is an excellent choice for deersized game, coyotes, and other varmints. Staying true to their reputation, Starline’s new 6.5 Grendel brass
is made in America. Get match-grade quality, without the match-grade cost.

UNIQUETEK, INC.
uniquetek.com

DILLON PRECISION
dillonprecision.com • Booth #10364
Bringing perfection one step closer to reality.
From Dillon Precision comes the SL 900
Shotshell Loader, a time-proven unit with a
practically endless list of features, including
an adjustable case-activated shot-dispensing
system; automatic indexing; automatic
powder and priming systems; tilt-out wad
guide; aluminum roller handle; and it comes
with its dies preadjusted to load the popular
AA hulls. With its heavy-duty O-frame design
and interchangeable toolhead, the SL900 is a
serious machine for the serious shotgunner.

21ST CENTURY SHOOTING INC.
xxicsi.com
The days of neck turning with a cordless screwdriver
are over! Introducing the new 21st Century Shooting
Power Neck Turning Lathe! An integral power head
glides on stainless steel rails, with power adjustable from
200 to 600 rpm in 50 rpm increments, via a digital speed
controller. Given properly expanded brass, ample lube,
and the proper titanium nitride arbors, case necks can
be turned at 600 rpm without any heat generation! Speed
up your case prep process, and have more time for the
range. The new 21st Century Shooting Power Neck
Turning Lathe is taking reloading into the 21st century!

Any serious reloader has run into this
situation: a stuck case. It slows production,
and in a worst-case scenario, can
damage equipment. The Stuck Case
Remover Kit from UniqueTek lets
reloaders quickly remove stuck
cases from sizing dies without
compromising the die body
or expander/decap assembly.
The kit uses the power of the
press itself to extract the case.
Simply install the
kit on any singlestage press
ram, and even
the toughest
situation is
remedied with
just a downward
stroke of the
handle.
americanshootingjournal.com 167

Velocity meets accuracy with Aguila Ammunition’s 9mm Luger Jacketed
Hollow Point. Born out of years of engineering and countless terminal ballistic
tests, this defensive and tactical round consistently performs. As is the case
with all Aguila ammunition, this 9mm 117-grain JHP is a high-quality round
that cycles ﬂawlessly. Weighing a full 7.58 grams, the new 9mm round has
a velocity of 1,150 feet per second, and an MSRP of $18.11 per 50-round
box. Since 1961, Aguila Ammunition has been known as one of the largest
manufacturers of rimﬁre cartridges in the world, and is quickly gaining a
reputation among tactical, handgun, and shotgun shooters, as well as hunters.

For 2018, the folks at Black Hills Ammunition are proud to announce the
addition of the wildly popular 6.5 Creedmoor ELD loads to their lineup. The
6.5 Creedmoor is a superb light-recoiling long-range cartridge that exhibits
not only impressive accuracy, but excellent on-target ballistic performance.
Black Hills will offer these rounds ﬁtted with either 143- or 147-grain
Hornady Extreme Low Drag (ELD) bullets. Testing at the Black Hills facility
has demonstrated that these bullets loaded in Black Hills Ammunition are
consistently capable of producing one-half MOA performance from a factory
(nonmodiﬁed) Ruger Precision Riﬂe. Impressive, indeed.

aguilaammo.com • Booth #3111

RIM ROCK BULLETS
rimrockbullets.com

Low-recoil
ammunition is
without question
quite popular
among shooters
today, and
this desire for
manageable recoil
hasn’t been lost
on the engineers at Rim Rock Bullets. To this end,
Rim Rock is introducing their new .45 ACP 200-grain
Round Nose Flat Point (RNFP) bullet. Manufactured
from 15 Brinell hardness lead, these exceptional new
bullets are the perfect projectile for those seeking
reduced recoil without sacriﬁcing accuracy.

black-hills.com

MEISTER BULLETS
meisterbullets.com
For over 40 years, Meister has been
casting high-quality lead bullets in a
variety of handgun and riﬂe calibers.
Lubed for use with smokeless powders,
all of Meister’s bullets are now
available (special order only) with a
baked-on powder coating. This coating
allows the bullets to be used in ﬂawless
operation in an automatic feeder, as
well as eliminates barrel build-up. The
only distributor of the X-Ring primerpowered rubber bullet, Meister also
offers a unique, easy-to-use barrel
slugging kit for shooters unsure of an
older riﬂe’s true bore size.

NOSLER

FEDERAL PREMIUM

In January 2018, Nosler announced that their popular Reduced Drag Factor
(RDF) bullet line would be expanded to include a .22 85-grain hollow point
boattail (HPBT) – welcome news to competitive shooters around the globe.
The whole of the RDF bullet line features the highest ballistic coefﬁcients,
and smallest, most consistent meplats (bullet tip) of any hollow point match
bullet on the market. In a 22 Nosler with a 24-inch barrel, the 85-grain RDF
can be loaded to a muzzle velocity of 2,900 fps. This velocity, along with the
high ballistic coefﬁcient, makes it the fastest and ﬂattest shooting .22 SAAMIapproved cartridge design for the AR-15 platform. Get downrange – far
downrange – fast, with Nosler’s new 85-grain RDF .22.

Conventional ammunition causes metal-on-metal contact between the
bullet and the bore – contact that can shorten barrel life and decrease
accuracy. Federal’s polymer-encapsulated Snytech bullet prevents this
contact, while eliminating copper and lead fouling issues. Combined with
clean-burning powders and Federal’s exclusive Catalyst primer, these new
rounds will keep guns cleaner longer, allowing you to shoot more and more
accurately. A variety of loads are available, including the new 124-grain
9mm Luger, 165-grain 40 S&W, and 230-grain 45 Auto. Congratulations to
Syntech, which was the winner of the 2017 National Riﬂe Association’s
Golden Bullseye Award.

nosler.com • Booth #6927

federalpremium.com • Booth #7530

americanshootingjournal.com 171

Ammunition
AMMO INCORPORATED
ammo-inc.com • Booth #10959

For some shooters, it would be quite helpful to
see precisely where they’re shooting before the
round impacts the target. Well, thanks to Ammo
Incorporated’s Streak Visual Ammunition, it’s
possible to do just that. Streak rounds are nonincendiary and do not generate any heat, making
them safe for use in environments, e.g. dry
surroundings, where traditional tracer rounds
are prohibited or could constitute a hazard.
Streak rounds are recommended for indoor
range use and nighttime shooting exercises.

MATT’S BULLETS
mattsbullets.com

BITE THE BULLET

Recoil can be a terrible thing, and the good
people at Matt’s Bullets know and understand
this. That’s why they’ve introduced a .38 Special
load designed speciﬁcally for fans of snub-nosed
revolvers. A lightweight 110-grain bullet and
a decreased powder charge transform these
traditional wrist-busters into a most pleasant
shooting experience. There is no substitute for
training, and with Matt’s Bullets’ light loads,
even the recoil-sensitive can spend all the time
necessary on the range honing their skills and
becoming more proﬁcient shooters. If you or
someone you know dreads shooting that snubby
.38, try a box of Matt’s Comfort Plinkers today.

Matt’s Bullets

bitethebullet.co
With the most consistent and cost-effective
everyday-carry and home defense ammunition
on the market today, Bite The Bullet (BTB) uses
state-of-the-art machinery to manufacture a better
alternative. Now available is BTB’s new 9mm
95-grain Barnes TAC-XP Self Defense HP New
Brass. Offering 11 to 16 inches of penetration, an
impressive .355- to .775-inch expansion, and a
muzzle velocity of 1,300 fps, these new rounds are
part of BTB’s wildly popular RX line of self/home
defense ammunition. One hundred percent copper,
the BTB TAC-XP also comes in an ECO-frangible
format designed with a copper polymer projectile.
BTB-RX, the world’s ﬁrst ammohistamine – for
when they need permanent relief.

Premium Bullets & Ammunition

The 500 S&W
Specialists Including:
700 Grain

Tyrannosaurus Rex
635 Grain

Grand Canyon HP

500 S&W
Ammunition

600 Grain

Long Flat Nose
500 Grain

ZERO BULLET COMPANY

Available in boxes of 20 and 50!

XTP

zerobullets.com

440 Grain

Round Flat Nose
440 Grain

Low Recoil
425 Grain

Vaporizor HP

500 S&W Shotshells

390 Grain

The Power and payload of a 28
gauge shotgun in a revolver!

Spire Point
350 Grain

XTP

Over 100 bullets for
Also:
reloading in most calibers! 38/200 For Webley & Victory Revolvers

Fifty-two years. That’s how long the folks
at the Zero Bullet Company have been
manufacturing jacketed handgun bullets. And
their expertise and craftsmanship shows in
their impressive competitive championship
wins. Team Zero member, Kevin Angstadt,
won the prestigious Bianchi Cup in 2014
using the company’s Number 136 9mm
125-grain jacketed hollow point competition
bullet. Kim Beckwith has racked up multiple
High Senior awards at the cup with Zero’s
.38 Super ammunitions. The National Pistol
Championship? Zero’s been there and done
that. Same with the Pistol 4-Man Team
Championships at Ohio’s Camp Perry. An
impressive record, for a company with equally
as impressive credentials and products.

AMMO/RELOADING

AMMO/RELOADING
Lead Free and Frangible Ammunition

THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED
HOLLOW POINT WITH MAXIMUM ENERGY TRANSFER!

12 gauge Platinum Hog series 8 pellet 00 Buck
ICC Ammo proudly introduces the
Platinum Hog Series. This premium
lead-free 00 buck shot is faster, tighter,
and hits harder than any other leadfree shot shell round on the market.
Contact us to see for yourself.
We promise you won’t be disappointed.

This is a good cross reference of the bullets we offer. We have about
144 set of molds with new molds coming. Sixteen employees working
10 hr. a day shifts 4 days a week with 12 casters, 7 auto lubers, and 12
VWDUOXEHUVJDVFKHFNLQJHYHU\GD\:HKDYHEXOOHWVPDGHZLWK¿YH
different alloys that we order in 40,000 - 60,000 lbs at a time a mixed
per our set alloys. Prices subject to change without notice.

Phone Orders Taken Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm MST

BULLET BULLETIN

NEW HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDERS

Featuring Federal’s Tungsten Super Shot, these shells are ready to roll gobblers, and even feature
a ruler to measure your bird’s spurs.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PHIL MASSARO

ederal Premium
Ammunition has always
been at the forefront of
ammunition development,
and that includes innovative new
shotshells. New for 2018, Federal has
introduced a new line of shotshells
featuring their new TSS, or Tungsten
Super Shot. The new shot material
is an alloy that is predominately
tungsten, and according to Federal,
is 56 percent denser than lead, and is
much harder, which helps resist pellet
deformation. Dense shot equals better
retained velocity, and retained velocity
equals more killing power.
Based on this idea, not only
will the conventional shot size
recommendations perform better than
we’re used to but smaller shot sizes
will kill much better than they are
supposed to. Smaller shot sizes means
more pellets, and more pellets into the
kill zone of any game animal means a
quicker kill, and less cripples. Federal
embraced this idea in their new
Heavyweight TSS Shotshell line, and
it’s a deﬁnite winner.
Now, knowing the guys at Federal
– and the serious manner in which
they pursue turkeys – the TSS line was
designed with gobblers in mind. The
Heavyweight TSS line embraces shot
sizes usually reserved for upland game
and clay birds, namely No. 7, 8 and 9
shot, which is a world away from the
traditional line of thought, where the
larger shot sizes were offered as the
best choice for turkey hunting. The

F

Federal’s Heavyweight TSS shells feature a
tungsten alloy and are available for 12-gauge,
20-gauge and .410-bore shotguns.

new TSS line uses the Flitecontrol
Flex wad (except in the .410 loads) that
appeared in the revamped Black Cloud
shotshell line – designed for optimum
performance with the ultratight
turkey chokes and ported barrels – to
keep the shot column together and
deliver as many pellets as possible
downrange. The wad uses redesigned,
rear-deploying brake ﬁns and sidemounted vents to initiate separation
at the proper moment, to maximize
downrange performance.
Federal produces their Heavyweight
TSS in 12-gauge 3½-inchers with a
2¼-ounce load of No. 7 or No. 9 shot;
12-gauge 3-inchers with 1¾-ounce
load of No. 7 or No. 9 shot; 20-gauge
3-inchers with a 1½-ounce load of No.
7 or No. 9 shot; and even in .410-bore
3-inchers with 13/16 ounces of No. 9

shot. The 2½-ounce load of No. 7 shot
delivers a whopping 423 pellets, so you
can see where the Heavyweight TSS
will certainly put enough pellets into
the vital zone. The shot is held in place
via a roll crimp with a clear card wad,
and the 12- and 20-gauge Heavyweight
TSS hulls even have a printed ruler
in 1/8-inch increments, in order to
measure your tom’s spurs! Packaged
in ﬁve packs, a portion of the proceeds
americanshootingjournal.com 177

bullet bulletin

No need to pack a tape measure afield
when you hunt with these shotshells – they
feature a mini ruler with 1⁄8-inch increments to
measure spurs.

are donated to the National Wild
Turkey Foundation.
THE HEAVYWEIGHT LINE WASN’T the only
Federal shotshell to get a facelift;
the fabulous 3rd Degree line now

incorporates the TSS as one of the
three shot types within the shot
column. I’ve used the original 3rd
Degree shotshells, and they were
extremely impressive. The concept
is clever: Federal loads a three-layer

payload to cover all the bases, and the
concept works well. The front of the
shot column is made of 20 percent No.
6 Flitestopper pellets, the ones that
have a small ring around them and sort
of resemble the planet Saturn. These

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AMERICA

are what I call “lead-knuckleballs,”
spreading out in wide pattern early
in ﬂight, and that portion of the shot
column handles any turkeys that come
in really close, when the shot column is
usually still very tight.
The middle 40 percent of the shot
column is comprised of copper-plated
No. 5 shot, which will hold its shape
well, and handle the midrange shots
perfectly, as it has done for years. It’s
the last 40 percent of the 3rd Degree’s
shot column that got the upgrade, with
Federal now loading the No. 7 TSS Shot
to complete the package. This TSS
section of the shot column is what will
best handle the longer shots at those
birds that hang up just at the edge of
the effective shooting range; those
birds are no longer safe thanks to the
TSS shot.
The 3rd Degree turkey loads are
available in 12-gauge 3½-inchers with
a 2-ounce load; 12-gauge 3-inchers
with a 1¾-ounce load; and 20-gauge
3-inchers with a 1 7/16-ounce load.
Packaged in ﬁve-packs, a portion of
the proceeds are also donated to the
National Wild Turkey Foundation.
THE FEDERAL GRAND SLAM TURKEY
shotshells – centered around a
suitable load of buffered, copperplated lead shot – also get the
Flitecontrol Flex wad, to make an
already great product even better.
Seems that wad works so well that
Federal has seen ﬁt to include it in
the top turkey loads, and based on
the targets I’ve seen, it works as
advertised. The Grand Slam is also
locked together with the same roll
crimp and clear card wad as the
Heavyweight TSS. It’s available in
10-gauge 3½-inchers with 2 ounces
of No. 4 or No. 5 shot; 12-gauge
3½-inchers with 2 ounces of No. 4, No.
5 or No. 6 shot; 12-gauge 3-inchers with
1¾ ounces of No. 4, No. 5 or No. 6 shot;
12-gauge 2¾-inchers with 1½ ounces of
No. 5 shot; and 20-gauge 3-inchers with
15/16 ounces of No. 5 shot.
With all these choices available,
turkey season can’t last long enough!

180

American Shooting Journal // May 2018

americanshootingjournal.com 181

SHOTGUNS

shotguns
DICKINSON ARMS

dickinsonarms.com • Booth #10362
With dozens of 12-gauge semiautomatic models, barrel lengths, conﬁgurations, and colors to choose
from, the new Impala Plus line from Dickinson Arms offers something for every shooter. The Impala Plus
family includes versions featuring rich, hand-checkered Turkish walnut stocks and fore-ends, as well as
lightweight synthetics and camouﬂage patterns. Want a truly distinctive sporting shotgun? The Impala
Plus Elite Series comes in an array of bold stock, fore-end, and action colors. All Impala models are inertia
operated, and offer the shooter’s choice of 18- to 30-inch chrome-lined ported barrels.

O.F. MOSSBERG & SONS, INC.
mossberg.com • Booth #8847

Built on Mossberg’s legendary pump-action tactical platform, the 590M Mag-Fed
12-gauge uses the world’s ﬁrst double-stack 10-round shotgun magazine to create
a tactical/home defense ﬁrearm that’s second to none. The 590M is available in two
versions. The base model sports an 18½-inch heavy-walled cylinder bore
barrel with a bead sight, interchangeable ACCU-Choke system,
and black synthetic stock/fore-end with matte
blue ﬁnish. The Heat Shield version, also with an
18½-inch cylinder bore barrel, features a cob-style
fore-end, protective heat shield, and ghost ring
sighting system. Optional ﬁve-, 10-, 15-, and 20-round
magazines are available.